Speaker Biographies
THRIVE
Three days of market insight, investment discussion, founder-led exchange and hospitality experiences across Dubai.
Ashley Saxton
Global COO of Food & Beverage, DIAFA
Ashley Saxton is a globally recognized leader in the luxury hospitality industry, with more than 25 years of experience spanning four continents. Over the course of his career, he has successfully launched over 70 acclaimed restaurants and bars, consistently setting new standards for innovation, quality, and guest experience. In 2024, Ashley was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Hospitality, recognized as one of the world’s foremost restaurateurs.
Ashley is known for his ability to anticipate global market trends and translate these insights into winning strategies that position brands at the forefront of the industry. He has extensive expertise in leading complex, large-scale F&B operations, shaping clear visions, and building high-performing leadership teams to bring them to life.
In his most recent role, Ashley spearheaded the transformation of Harrods into a global authority in luxury hospitality. By strategically repositioning the brand within its multifaceted organization, he delivered a twofold increase in trade while expanding the footprint by just 8%. This growth was powered by sophisticated data-driven analysis and insight mapping, establishing Harrods as the largest single-site F&B operation in Europe.
Currently, Ashley serves as Global CEO of Food & Beverage for DIAFA, a luxury hospitality equity platform set to become the world’s largest in its category by the end of 2025, already encompassing ownership stakes in some of the industry’s most iconic institutions.Beyond his executive role, Ashley contributes his expertise to boards and advisory roles, where he provides strategic and commercial guidance closely related to the F&B sector.
Previously, Ashley led a team of more than 900 employees across 45 restaurants worldwide for Harrods. Earlier in his career, he directed F&B operations for Atlantis, Dubai, overseeing £180m in turnover, and for Lebua Bangkok, both the largest F&B operations in The Middle East and S.E Asia respectively.
Widely respected for his meticulous attention to detail and hands-on leadership style, Ashley is driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainable growth, ensuring every initiative delivers maximum commercial impact.