Solihull games bar strengthens leadership team

A popular Solihull games bar has strengthened its leadership team ahead of a national expansion.

Spinners which has a venue inside Touchwood Solihull has made three new senior hires.  

Francis Ireland, joins full time as head of growth to lead the rollout, having been part of the Gresham House Ventures deal team that invested in Spinners in 2025 and has sat on the board since.

Francis will lead the search for new towns and sites and sees the same shift towards experiences playing out on the high street.

Francis said: “The competitive socialising sector has taken off in recent years, driven by a growing desire for experiences that bring people together.

“Spinners is uniquely positioned to leverage its strong brand and offering to bring life back to the high street. If you’re a commercial landlord looking for a tenant who can add another dimension to your scheme, I’d love to talk.”

George Whittaker joins as finance director after 13 years in role at the breakfast club, where he backed a much-loved brand through its growth.

George said: “I’ve always loved being part of building and growing a business, and that’s exactly what drew me to Spinners.

“The chance to help scale something genuinely exciting, with a concept people love and a team full of energy, was impossible to ignore.

“There’s real ambition here, strong backing, and a brand that’s already resonating with guests. I understand the foundations needed to support sustainable growth, and I’m looking forward to helping Spinners reach its full potential.”

Georgina Roberts leads the brand as head of marketing, bringing 11 years' experience across hospitality, ecommerce and fintech, including time at competitive socialising brand Clays and, most recently, as global marketing director at Haute Dolci. She is also a former Team GB Olympic Trap shooter.

Alongside launching the venues, Georgina will grow the Spinners brand nationally.

She said: “That makes competitive socialising one of the most exciting spaces within hospitality right now, and it changes how you market a venue.

“You’re not selling a table, you’re selling an experience and the story people tell afterwards. Next year is about that rolling out at pace, starting with our new venue launching in Q1 2027.”