Next Stop Dubai | 19th-21st October 2026
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

Thomas Douzis
Co-Founder, Ergon Foods

Fay Economides
Executive Managing Director, M Management Company

Rabih Fakhreddine
Founder & Group CEO, 7 Management

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

Tony Habre
Founder & CEO, AlphaMind and Addmind Hospitality

Sandy Hayek
VP/COO, AlphaMind

Christoper Hewett
Executive Vice President, Marjan Hospitality
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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

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

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

Anna Sebastian
Founder, Anna Sebastian Hospitality

Carolyn Turnbull
CEO, Nammos Hotels & Resorts

Benjamin Thouverez
CDO, Big Mamma Group

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.



