Dubai, United Arab Emirates
As a dedicated hospitality and restaurant industry business executive, I have built a successful career around my ability to assess and anticipate financial and operational needs, communicate and implement a strategic vision, identify unique alternatives, and develop and implement long-term solutions. Highlights of my career achievements include: • Founded and managed Meraki Restaurants and Bar, which opened its first location in London in 2017. Expanded to Riyadh in 2020 (through a franchise), Porto Cervo in 2021, and Mykonos in 2022 (through a joint venture). • Oversaw all business and operational issues for La Petit Maison, including finance, legal, commercial, strategy, sales and marketing, and development. Directed a successful opening in Beirut and took a leading role in preparing for new openings in Abu Dhabi and Miami. Increased London profitability by 20%, opened an operation in Beyrouth and structured the team and pre-opening for Abu Dhabi and Miami. • Took over the opening of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon London, consisting of 120 employees, two restaurants and a Bar from the famous Joel Robuchon (awarded Chef of the Century), gained first and then a second Michelin Star. Above all, I believe my results speak for themselves; a top-performing hospitality executive, adept at formulating and implementing initiatives designed to meet company objectives and client specifications, a motivator and mentor who inspires those around him to greater heights and achievements, an analytical problem solver, and a self-disciplined professional with a superb work ethic, staying on-task and on-time with deliverables despite shifting priorities and tight deadlines and an insatiable desire to succeed. I would be keen to expand my network, so please feel free to connect with your contact details and I’ll get back to you.
Founded and managed Meraki Restaurants and Bar, which opened its first location in London in 2017. Expanded to Riyadh in 2020 (through a franchise), Porto Cervo in 2021, and Mykonos in 2022 (through a joint venture). Operations include full food and beverage services, room service, and breakfast. Hold responsibility for developing the concept and overseeing its launch, building a management team and systems, managing legal matters such as intellectual property, franchise, and joint venture agreements, and addressing shareholder concerns. Cultivated relationships with third-party partners, including joint venture partners and franchisees. • Successfully navigated through a chef change and repositioned the business for future growth and profitability, including opening new locations. • Created and launched a new concept in London with 54 staff and 22% turnover growth. • Established a pop-up in Saudi Arabia and opened a location in Riyadh at Mandarin Oriental with 60 employees. • Highly commended European restaurant in Time Out Riyadh. • Managed two years of pop-ups in Porto Cervo and opening in Mykonos at CAVOTAGOO Hotel with 170 staff and up to 600 daily covers. • Built HO function for expansion with plans for several locations in the Middle East and additional location in London and Asia.
Held responsibility for setting up, launching, and growing A.O.K Kitchen in London in 2019 and later in Riyadh in 2022 as a franchise, including managing all operational, legal, and financial systems and procedures, recruiting a management team, codifying, and developing the concept, and building a structure for future expansion. • Asked by Arts Club shareholders to oversee the development and opening a new brand, starting with one restaurant in London. Created all operating manuals and formalised the concept to franchise it. After successfully opening the London restaurant, opened one franchised outlet in Riyadh.
Responsible for leading the planning, modelling, and preparation of the Arts Club's global expansion into Dubai, Los Angeles, and Canary Wharf (London). Created financial models and coordinated with necessary consultants. Managed all legal matters and communicated with design teams, third-party groups such as landlords, agents, lawyers, architects, and all project teams, both internal and external. • Worked on Canary Wharf's 60,000 sq. ft. project; created financial models, developed concepts, and implemented strategies. • Played a key role in the 60,000 sq. ft. project in Los Angeles (currently on hold due to Covid).