Selection of Confirmed Speakers for GRIF 2026
Marc Antoni Ledesma
Sr. Director, F&B Design and Development, EMEA, Marriott
Khaled Al Fahim
Executive Chairman, RMAL Hospitality PJSC - Chairman, Abu Dhabi Family Business Council
Tom Arnel
Founder, EatX
Spencer Ayers
Senior Vice President, F&B Strategy, Dubai Holding Hospitality
Michiel Bakker
President, Culinary Institute of America
Nadine Benchaffai
Co-founder, Project People
Kevin Boublil
Co-founder & CEO, Mezza
Thomas Douzis
Co-Founder, Ergon Foods
Fay Economides
Executive Managing Director, M Management Company
Mathew Focht
Founding Managing Partner, EMERGING
Andre Gerschel
Section Chief, Abu Dhabi Culinary Investment Fund
Stephen Gersowsky
COO, Blue Coral Concepts
Flo Graham-Dixon
Founder, Juniper Strategy
Sarah-Jane Grant
Director & Board member, EcoAir Group
Tony Habre
Founder & CEO, AlphaMind and Addmind Hospitality
Sandy Hayek
VP/COO, AlphaMind
Christoper Hewett
Executive Vice President, Marjan Hospitality
Bashar Hlayhel
Economist, Mastercard Economics Institute
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Valeri Inting
Head of Innovation & Technology, Think Hospitality Consulting
Chef James Knight-Paccheco
Co-founder of Group JKP
Ziad Kamel
Founder & CEO, Rosy Hospitality Group
Jonathan Leung
Director, K11 by AC Management Consultancy
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Peggy Li
Managing Partner & CEO, SPS Affinity
Dr. Naim Maadad
Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality
Jillian MacLean MBE
Founder & CEO, Drake & Morgan
Panchali Mahendra
CEO, Atelier House Hospitality
Nadim Majdalani
CEO, Eathos
Lorenzo Marras
President of Dining, Sunset Hospitality Group
Bradley Michael
Founder & Chairman, Blue Coral Concepts and Founder, Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group
Sanjay Nandi
Group CEO, ADMO Lifestyle Holding
Amit Nayak
Vice Chairman, UAE Restaurants Group
Heleri Rande
Senior Partner, Think Hospitality
Tyrone Reid
Group CEO, MMI and Emirates Leisure Retail
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Omar Saideh
Founder, Orange Holding
Ashley Saxton
Global COO of Food & Beverage, DIAFA
Tobias Schulz
Head of Restaurant & Bar Partnerships EMEA, APAC at Hilton
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Natasha Sideris
CEO & Founder, Tashas Group
David Singleton
Founder, Oraculi
Anna Sebastian
Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality
Duncan Fraser Smith
Founder, Craft Hospitality
Max Tappeiner
President, Wynn Al Marjan Island & Wynn Mayfair
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Sven Tietz
CEO & Founder, HeadsUp systems
Carolyn Turnbull
CEO, Nammos Hotels & Resorts
Benjamin Thouverez
CDO, Big Mamma Group
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Dirk van de Haar
Director,
Creneau International
Georgina Woollams-Edwards
Founder & Managing Director, Katch International
Greg Wright
Founder & Managing Partner, Food People
Najib Yaacoub
COO, Lavoya Restaurants Group
Chef Ali Yazdi
Founder, Fowli, Aleez and Yazdi Consultancy
How to get involved
Are you a restaurant operator or investor with a renowned brand or a portfolio of multiple brands?
Do not miss the chance to connect with fellow industry leaders in Edinburgh.
Register your interest now to apply for a complimentary guest pass for the invite-only, experiential GRIF briefing in Edinburgh.