Dr. Naim Maadad, CEO & Founder, Gates Hospitality

With a Professional Doctorate in Tourism & Hospitality and almost 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry in Australia, Asia and the Middle East, Dr. Naim is the Chief Executive and Founder of Gates Hospitality, a home-grown hospitality group based in the UAE, with award-winning concepts such as folly, Bistro Des Arts and Reform Social & Grill.

Having led a wide spectrum of both operational and senior positions throughout his career, Dr. Naim was Managing Director for both Six Senses and Minor Hotels prior to setting up Gates Hospitality in 2010; two roles (amongst many others) that allowed him to gain significant operational and commercial experience as a leader, as well as nurture significant owner and stakeholder relationships.

Dr. Naim has been based in the Middle East for more than twenty years, and so has

witnessed tremendous industry growth and gained a deep cultural understanding of

the ways of the region, allowing him to support businesses and owners, and be a credible

and respected voice of authority for the industry.

As well as his day-to-day role, Dr. Naim is the current Chairman of Australian Business Council Dubai, Treasurer for UAE Restaurants Group and is also on the boards of various hospitality businesses such as The Middle East Food Forum,  Almont Global and others.

A visionary and yet clear and direct leader, Dr. Naim is passionate about nurturing local and regional talent, and is known to have to supported and guided many hoteliers, chefs and restauranters as a mentor throughout his career.

Now, leading a team of 700 colleagues across Gates Hospitality, he is considered one of industry’s most respected spokespeople and a ‘Godfather’ figure, nurturing the careers of many new faces of the future.