Background
I am a restaurant operator and creator who has accumulated a wealth of experience since joining Bob Payton’s My Kinda Town Group in 1980. Despite becoming a significant shareholder I left after 5 years to become totally independent. I conceived, started and raised the money to open Smollensky’s Balloon in 1985, one of the highest grossing and most highly admired small restaurant groups. This was followed by creating an Indian concept, the first to make it into the Michelin Guide; Café Spice Namaste in 1995. After successfully selling both businesses in 1999/2000 I became a consultant to various companies, some of which required me to create new restaurant concepts e.g. Holiday Inn Hotels. For the past 11 years I have specialised in successfully turning around 3 failing, but successful companies in return for an equity stake. In short, I have a range of practical skills from being a concept creator to being an operator, marketer, trainer and fund-raiser.
In addition, I have always been active in promoting the restaurant industry through eleven years of writing monthly columns for the Caterer and Hotelkeeper to becoming Chairman of the Restaurant Association for over 5 years. I remain active as Chairman Emeritus.
