Speaker Biographies
THRIVE
Three days of market insight, investment discussion, founder-led exchange and hospitality experiences across Dubai.
Zachary Roy
General Manager, LOWE
Zac, originally from Montréal, Canada, has had a hospitality career over the world. From nightclubs in Zihuantanejo, Mexico and Marrakech, Morrocco to hotels in Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas.
Zac helped open Mr. Tortoise in Bali, Indonesia, a small boutique hotel before cutting his teeth in the Melbourne hospitality scene where he spent 8 years. There, he was nominated for venue of the year in 2019 by gourmet traveler for the speakeasy wine bar, Galah, and made international news by creating the world’s first ever, clear espresso martini.
Zac then moved to the UAE where he wanted to find a place that shared his beliefs for sustainable gastronomy and pushing the boundaries for flavors and pairings. This is when he joined LOWE.
Since joining LOWE, it was the first restaurant to earn the MICHELIN Green Star in the region in 2022. Following that, in 2023, LOWE was awarded it’s second Green Star, 2024 it’s third, and in 2025, its fourth in a row. At the 2026 Dubai MICHELIN guide ceremony, LOWE and Zachary were recognized as the first “Mindful Voices” in the region.
In 2022 LOWE was awarded the MENA 50 Best Sustainable Restaurant award and ranked No. 23 in the 2022 World’s 50 Best Restaurants MENA. LOWE was then ranked No.15 in the 2023 World’s 50 Best Restaurants MENA and was ranked No. 37 in the 2024 World’s 50 Best Restaurants MENA.
LOWE was awarded its first Toque from Gault&Millau in 2025 and retained its Toque in 2026.
In 2024 and 2025 Zachary won Manger of the Year at the Caterer Middle East awards for his accomplishments within the MEAN hospitality scene.
In 2026, Zac also took over as Operations manager of NASAB, also within KOA Canvas with LOWE.