Exclusive Interview with Naim Maadad

Background about Naim Maadad - Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality

With over 39 years in the hospitality world across Australia, Asia, & the Middle East in various senior management roles, I have launched & operated some of the world’s best Hotels, Resorts, Spas & Lifestyle Food & Beverage Concepts. Naim’s career has exposed him to some of the best properties around the world and he has been fortunate to partake & orchestrate several amazing openings & operations. Covering a wide spectrum of positions within senior leadership, including the role of Managing Director for both Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and The Anantara Group respectively.

During his time with these exclusive properties, Naim was instrumental in nurturing sound relationships with owners, securing the best possible locations, negotiating and formalizing contractual agreements, and appointing teams to infuse and reflect the ethos of the brands.

Being based in the ME over the past 20 years, Naim has witnessed tremendous industry growth, gained a deep cultural understanding & has been endorsed by principals & organizations alike. In 2010, Naim established “Gates Hospitality” a homegrown Hospitality Company representing handpicked Concepts catering for the affluent life-stylers.

Gates Hospitality, the owning company of well-known homegrown brands such as; Ultra Brasserie, the internationally acclaimed concept; Reform Social & Grill Dubai, Folly by Nick & Scott, as well as Publique, Dubai's premier "Apres Ski chalet", Bistro Des Arts, Six Senses Zighy Bay, Red Farm London at Covent Garden London and the latest addition being WORKSHOP by folly at the Time Out Market Dubai in Souk Al Bahar, Dubai.

Affiliations - on the Advisory Boards of:

• Caterer Middle East

• Hotelier Middle East

• BNC Publishing

• Middle East Food Forum

• New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

• Japan Hotel School

• Middle East Restaurant Association (MERA) – Founding Board Member

• Dubai Restaurants Group (DRG) – Founding Board Member

• Almont Global

• L’Invite • Spa & Wellness Association of Africa (SWAA)

Contributing Columnist for magazines :-

• Hotelier Middle East

• Caterer Middle East

• Hospitality News Middle East

• Entrepreneur Middle East

• Retail Images ME