25 years Senior Management experience in UK, Europe, MENA and South East of Asia.
Dynamic Chief Operating Officer with more than 25 years of experience. Highly skilled in lifecycle success through visionary operations, finance and business development. Bringing staff and stakeholders on board with best business strategy to protect and perfect the brand.
Driven business leader equipped with decisive leadership and superior negotiation skills. Manages team and company performance with exceptional command of strategic planning and resource allocation. Pragmatic problem-solver and diplomatic communicator with strong reputation for successful operational oversight.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Group COO
WORQ Group
Edinburgh, East Lothian
11.2022 - Current
Maintain an individual membership within the organization
Guide the overall direction of the appropriate region
Craft a regional strategic plan every two years, using input from the regional officers and/or committee members
Conduct a regional, self‐evaluation (report card) twice each calendar year
Serve as an active participant in national and regional meetings
Provide constructive feedback and personal views on time and when appropriate
Overall responsibility of successfully running Hospitality department ‘Hotel, Bars Restaurants’
Ensuring that due diligences in terms of food safety & Health and Safety comply with all team members.
Implemented process improvement strategies that resulted in [Number]% efficiency increase in [Type] operations whilst maintaining service levels.
Oversaw operations and coordinated with managers to increase quarterly profits by [Number]%.
Increased collaboration with stakeholders and partners to streamline business.
Optimised all operational aspects of business, including [Type] and [Type] operations, exceeding financial and operational targets by on average [Number]%.
General Manager GCC
MAF/Gourmet Gulf LLC
01.2017 - 11.2022
Direct and coordinate activities of departments, such as Real estates “New Markets and new Locations”, Operations, Sales & Marketing, food safety and hygiene
Successfully opened many restaurants QSR, Casual dining as well as premium Dining outlets Dubai, KSA and Qatar
Reviewed and analyzed activities, costs, operations and forecast data to determine department or division progress toward stated goals and objectives
Conferred with the chief Operation officer and CEO and other administrative personnel to review achievements and discuss required changes in goals or objectives resulting from status and conditions
Developed, reviewed, updated and implemented business strategic planning, including Marketing & Sales, financial performance and new product development.
Supervised budgets and timelines, ensuring progress met project scope targets.
Devised and implemented long-term strategy to drive progress in key areas.
Trained and mentored managers to cultivate cohesive leadership team.
Provided customers with outstanding service, extending relationships for future business opportunities.
Cultivated strong work culture and high standards to drive employee retention and performance.
Vice President of Operations (GCC)
MAF/Gourmet Gulf LLC
Dubai, MENA
06.2015 - 12.2016
Operated 7 brands - 50 business units, overseeing a team of 8 Brand directors across all units/functions, including 1 R&M Manager, 1 Head of Culinary, HR, finance, purchasing, real estate & business development, as well as marketing and construction & design in 13 countries
Devised and executed strategic and tactical action plans focused on improving financial performance, establishing long-term business growth, and building top-performing team to drive achievement of goals.
Collaborated with cross-company departments, developing new strategies to capitalise on emerging customer trends.
Planned implementation of new organisational policies.
Devised systems to measure direct and indirect results of new policies.
Coordinated strategic planning activities based on current data.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement new policies.
Oversaw staff operations, training and performance to accomplish objectives.
COO For Casual Dining Middle East and North Africa
Chief operating officer
Middle East, MENA
01.2015 - 01.2015
Assisted the owners in expansion and was responsible and accountable for various operations in different departments
Created SOP on Loss & prevention Guide Lines
Re-built new organization structure
Managed Real Estate, Marketing & Sales, Customer Service, Finance & Account, Auditing and Loss Prevention, as well as R&M departments.
Implemented process improvement strategies that resulted in [Number]% efficiency increase in [Type] operations whilst maintaining service levels.
Led operational oversight and budgetary supervision for [Number] [Type] locations.
Launched internal reward programmes that boosted employee retention by [Number]%.
Provided exceptional operational delivery across a diverse portfolio.
Increased collaboration with stakeholders and partners to streamline business.
Trained sales teams to improve customer service skills, boosting customer satisfaction score from [Number]% to [Number]% within [Timeframe].
Orchestrated positive media coverage and stakeholder relations as public face of [Type] company.
Oversaw operations and coordinated with managers to increase quarterly profits by [Number]%.
Vice President of Operations Manager For Casual/Fine Dining Middle East and North Africa
Alshaya
Middle East, MENA
01.2012 - 01.2015
Headed the Home Brands and Fine dining division of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, KSA and Qatar and Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Turkey
Led people to maximize sales and develop profitability
Fully responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and standards and procedures implementation and follow-up.
Oversaw staff operations, training and performance to accomplish objectives.
Consulted with C-level executives, influencing high level decision-making.
Developed key performance indicators for tracking and evaluating new policies.
Established team and project goals, tracking performance and evaluating necessary changes.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement new policies.
General Manager
Village Park Spa and Boutique Hotels
Far East Asia Indonesia & Singapore / Turkey
01.2010 - 01.2012
Managed the Top Boutique Hotel Groups in Turkey, Singapore, and Bali
Fully responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and implementation of standard policies and procedures
Rated one of the best hotels in terms of standards, policies, and procedures by the Ministry of Tourism in Turkey
Managed the FB and Operations reporting to the Group CEO
Managed 2 sites in Far East, 2 sites in Singapore & 2 sites in Jakarta and Bali.
Maintained smooth operations through careful management of office workflow and administrative processes.
Devised and implemented long-term strategy to drive progress in key areas.
Trained and mentored managers to cultivate cohesive leadership team.
Cultivated strong work culture and high standards to drive employee retention and performance.
Provided customers with outstanding service, extending relationships for future business opportunities.
Generated and achieved regional revenue goals, exceeding targets within company growth strategies.
Managed team performance, celebrating successes and identifying areas to improve.
Reduced financial discrepancies by improving documentation and reporting accuracy for budget and operational controls.
Boosted customer satisfaction scores through fast and knowledgeable issue resolution.
Hired exceptional candidates and effectively led staff to maximise productivity and eliminate process lags.
Group Operation Implementation Manager
Baxters
UK/Poland/Australia
01.2006 - 01.2008
Headed the group operation implementation team for all UK and Europe
Implemented and monitored continuous improvement plans in terms of operational excellence as well as food safety and hygiene
Managed over 4000 employees
Managed lean management team reporting to the CEO
Managed 6 Managers, 16 Supervisors, and 130 staff across 2 sites.
Reduced costs and improved operations by analysing processes and customer feedback.
Developed, recommended and implemented strategies to improve employee work quality and speed.
Analysed financial data to track and achieve budget targets.
Tracked and reported on KPIs, investigating variances and developing solutions to address bottlenecks or constraints.
Supervised daily operations, acting as point of contact for any queries or obstacles.
Analysed operations data to identify process gaps and successfully implement change.
Increased department profitability by reducing operations costs.
Led and coached team leaders to meet performance targets and deliver operational excellence.
Group Lean Operation Manager
Greencore
UK/Holland/Belgium/Canada
01.2004 - 01.2006
Headed the lean and continuous improvement team for 16 sites in the UK, 2 sites in Belgium, 2 sites in Holland, and one in Canada
Implemented Six Sigma and continuous improvement plans in terms of Operation & Food Safety
Managed over 20000 employees
Managed the Group Operations Team reporting to the Group Lean Director
Managed 24 Managers, 112 Supervisors, and 390 staff across 3 sites.
Planned plant upgrades based on expected operating demands, planning objectives and cost considerations.
Set clear budget targets and established successful controls to control expenditure.
Defined manufacturing quality guidelines and criteria to adhere to company standards.
Identified opportunities to improve and streamline manufacturing processes to maximise time and revenue.
Group Site Services Manager
UK Derby
01.2002 - 01.2004
Managed the Site Services and Food Safety team
Managed 6 Managers, 16 Supervisors, and 130 staff across 2 sites
Managed 11 Managers and 220 staff
Managed budget, health & safety, pest control, effluent and waste control
Fully responsible for all activities in terms of purchases
Implemented good food safety and hygiene practices in all areas of the business
Managed cost control and customer liaison management
Crisis Management control and training.
General Manager
Ramada Jarvis Hotels
Manchester/Chester, UK
01.1996 - 01.2002
Ensured that each criteria in Ramada international Basics” are communicated, understood, achieved, and maintained by hotel staff
Created an operating environment that assures consistent guest satisfaction
Monitored the performance of the hotel through verification and analysis of guest satisfaction systems and financial reports
Maintained product and service quality standards by conducting ongoing evaluations and investigating complaints
Developed accurate and aggressive long and short-range financial objectives consistent with the Company's mission statement
Prepared financial reports for management that clearly explain operational effectiveness, trends, and variances
Established and maintained a pro-active human resource function to ensure employee motivation, training and development, wage and benefits administration, and compliance with established labor regulations
Maintained an appropriate level of community public affairs involvement
Executed marketing, sales, and operational activities, producing results that meet or exceed the hotel’s business plan.
Assistant F& B Operations Manager
Leisure Plex Hotel Group
Torquay, UK
01.1992 - 01.1996
Assisted and prepared site budget, strategic planning, staff recruitment, and training
Managed over 50 staff
Helped the GM to take the hotel from a loss to a profit
Reduced FC by 2.5% and reduced staff turnover by 5%.
Education
Certificate in Business Management - Economics
Open University
Istanbul/Turkey
09.1989 - 05.1992
HNC in Hotel & Catering International Management - undefined
University of Plymouth
01.1992 - 04.1996
Skills
Certificate in Food and Wine (Academy of Food and Wine) France
Welcome Host Certificate (English Tourist Board)
Accommodation and Maintenance Management Certificate (University of Plymouth UK)
Crisis Management (Campden Food Research Association UK)
Advanced Health and Safety Certificate - NEBOSH (Institute of Health and Safety UK)
Managing Safely Certificate – IOSH (The Institute of Safety and Health UK)
Certificate in Advanced HACCP Studies (The Institute of Food Hygiene UK)
Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate (The Institute of Food Hygiene UK)
Certificate in Advanced Chemical and Structural Studies (Johnson Diversey Ltd UK)
Marketing and Sales Management (Plymouth University UK)
Six Sigma UK
Continuous Improvement and Train the Trainers Greencore UK
Inventory control
Employee training
Outgoing personality
Safe serving knowledge
Problem solving
Marketing and sales experience
Supply negotiation
Financial risk analysis
Strategic planning
Personal Information
Date of birth: 01/08/1965
Nationality: British
Custom
Tennis, table tennis, basketball and volleyball.
Quote
There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality.
Tony Robbins
Timeline
Group COO
WORQ Group
11.2022 - Current
General Manager GCC
MAF/Gourmet Gulf LLC
01.2017 - 11.2022
Vice President of Operations (GCC)
MAF/Gourmet Gulf LLC
06.2015 - 12.2016
COO For Casual Dining Middle East and North Africa
Chief operating officer
01.2015 - 01.2015
Vice President of Operations Manager For Casual/Fine Dining Middle East and North Africa
Alshaya
01.2012 - 01.2015
General Manager
Village Park Spa and Boutique Hotels
01.2010 - 01.2012
Group Operation Implementation Manager
Baxters
01.2006 - 01.2008
Group Lean Operation Manager
Greencore
01.2004 - 01.2006
Group Site Services Manager
01.2002 - 01.2004
General Manager
Ramada Jarvis Hotels
01.1996 - 01.2002
Assistant F& B Operations Manager
Leisure Plex Hotel Group
01.1992 - 01.1996
HNC in Hotel & Catering International Management - undefined
Senior Data Scientist/Algo Solution PIC at Daraz Group (Alibaba Group - Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group)Senior Data Scientist/Algo Solution PIC at Daraz Group (Alibaba Group - Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group)