Jafari, who joined the famed private members club as its first female CEO early last year, left the business in December.
Simon Cooke will be managing the club on an interim basis while a search for Jafari’s permanent successor is conducted.
It comes as The Groucho prepares to reopen its doors after a troubled couple of months that saw the venue’s license suspended following allegations that a woman was raped inside the premises on 13 November.
A 34-year-old man was arrested in Hertfordshire earlier this month in relation to the incident and been bailed until a date in late February.
The club’s license was subsequently reinstated following a review by Westminster Council’s licensing committee subject to conditions agreed with the police.
The Metropolitan Police made 13 recommendations for the new licence conditions, including properly supervising toilet areas, staff welfare training, and a tightening up of ‘previously lax procedures’ relating to members and their guests.
To this end, The Groucho has amended its sign-in policy for both members and their guests. Entry is now digital-only and requires members to use the Groucho app.
Members can still invite up to four guests, but will be required to provide their guests’ full name, email address, and contact number.
In an email sent to members, The Groucho thanked Jafari for helping to steer the club through the last couple of months and wished her well for the future.
Founded in 1985 by a group of women publishers as an alternative to London’s male dominated private members clubs, The Groucho Club has a storied history and counts many A-list celebrities among its members.
Its name derives from the famous Groucho Marx line: “I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.”
High-end hospitality operator Artfarm owns the business having acquired it back in 2022.
