European Foodservice Summit 2023

Gamze Cizreli

Istanbul, Turkey

Gamze Cizreli is a prominent figure in the Turkish hospitality industry. With a background in business
administration and a passion for gastronomy, Gamze has created numerous successful brands,
including the renowned BigChefs Cafe Brasserie. Under her leadership, BigChefs has expanded to 85
locations across eight countries, employing over 4,500 people. Recognized for her entrepreneurial
achievements, Gamze has received prestigious awards and accolades, including being named
"Woman Entrepreneur of Turkey" multiple times. A mother of two, she is also actively involved in
community services and sustainable development goals. Recently, Forbes recognized Gamze as one
of the influential "50 Over 50 Women" in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East (EMEA).

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Oli Dervey

Zurich, Switzerland

Oli manages the co-brand credit card partnerships between Swisscard and Swiss Miles & More as well as Poinz Swiss Loyalty. Building on over 15 years of experience with airlines, hotels and retailers, Oli has a deep understanding of the global loyalty industry. He has worked for program operators as
well as marketing agencies on five continents (not to mention earned and redeemed millions of miles as an avid mileage junkie). He spent nine years with global loyalty company Aimia in Montréal, Canada as a strategist and as the Key Account Manager for Air Canada at the Aeroplan program.
Following his return to Switzerland, Oli was the Head of Loyalty Programs for credit card provider Bonuscard and in summer 2022 joined Swisscard.

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Kieran Dowd

Dubai, UAE

Kieran Dowd is the Vice President of Sourcing Solutions at Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and the General Manager for Emirates Crop One, the world’s largest vertical farm. Based on his professional background he supports and leads internal and external change management projects that provide sustainable business improvements. Prior to EKFC, Kieran was the Director of Procurement at the Tourism Development Investment Company (TDIC), an Abu Dhabi Government entity, delivering tourism assets within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including Sir Bani Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, home of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Before relocating to the Middle East, Kieran was the Director of Procurement for GlaxoSmithKline in the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan regions. Kieran has worked in Procurement for 28 years, having received his MBA in Strategy and Procurement Management from Birmingham Business School.

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Arnaud Dufour

Bruxelles, Belgium

Arnaud is a public affairs professional who has been the main coordinator of
Serving Europe, the branded food and beverage service chains association,
since February 2018. He was then officially appointed as the Secretary
General of the Association in June 2021. In this role, Arnaud advises branded
chains on future EU regulatory changes and ensures their voices are heard in
areas that greatly impact the sector such as sustainable food and sourcing,
packaging transition, nutrition and diets, etc. Prior to joining Serving Europe,
Arnaud acted as an independent lawyer in the field of commercial litigation. A
Belgian national, Arnaud holds a Masters in private law from the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

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Harry Goss

London, UK

Harry is a Partner at McWin and joined the firm in October 2022. He lead’s the company’s foodservice vertical and is a member of the firm’s management team and Investment Committee. Prior to joining McWin, Harry worked in investment banking for 16 years, including positions at Lehman Brothers and Nomura. For the past 10 years he led Nomura’s food service and leisure investment banking practice in Europe. He has broad product expertise across M&A advisory, financing advisory and principal lending. He advised a number of high-profile public and private companies as well as private equity firms and family offices. As part of this he led several of the largest transactions in the European foodservice sector and in doing so established a global network of relationships.

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André Lacroix

London, UK

Today the CEO of Intertek Group, André Lacroix brings to the table a wealth of experience and leadership know-how earned during over 25 years in global organizations in hospitality as well as other industries. As the president of Burger King International (2001-2003), he spearheaded a global expansion strategy that saw the company's footprint grow to cover over 3,000 sites in 55 countries, while improving product quality and customer service. He also served as Chairman and CEO of Euro Disney, which he successfully led through a major financial restructuring. With his strong track record of delivering long-term growth strategies and shareholder value, André Lacroix is sure to offer a compelling insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality industry today.

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Julian Metcalfe

London, UK

The (co-)founder of Pret A Manger and itsu, Julian Metcalfe is a distinguished figure in the hospitality industry, who has inspired leaders across Europe. After contributing to Pret A Manger's global success, Julian established the healthy fast food chain itsu in 1997. Evolving from sushi-focused menus to hot foods and branded retail products, itsu has been a trailblazer in testing new technologies, revolutionizing both front- and back-of-house operations. With over 100 restaurants across the UK, Belgium and France, itsu continues expanding in Europe through strategic partnerships.

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Christopher C. Muller

Boston, USA

Chris Muller is a leading academic expert in the field of restaurant management. His research has focused on multi-unit organizations, development and growth, and the training of multi-unit managers and leaders. He has held positions at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, UCF’s Rosen College, Boston University, and is currently Courtesy Professor of Executive Education at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality. He is an author and has lectured around the globe.

Sven Sallaert

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The co-founder of Younique Concepts (position: Future Growth), Sven has developed nine hospitality concepts which are owned, partially owned or managed by him and the entire team of Younique Concepts. Four new outlets are in the pipeline, besides the company’s focus is on the international expansion of the very successful experiential seafood-brand Pesca - which now holds two locations in the Netherlands. Younique Concepts stands out for their revolutionary HR-model, innovative guest experiences and bold marketing approach. Sven studied Hospitality Management and Leadership in Maastricht, Barcelona and Berkely.

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Frank Sieren

Peking, China

Frank Sieren is a correspondent, bestselling author and documentary filmmaker who has lived in China for a decade and a half. He is a columnist for HANDELSBLATT and writes regularly in DIE ZEIT. The LONDON TIMES calls him an “authoritative China expert in Germany”. Frank Sieren reports first-hand on the rise of China.

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Rebecca Viani

Palma, Spain

Rebecca is a partner and the Head of International Expansion and Franchising Advisory at WhiteSpace Partners, working with European and international foodservice brands on the development and execution of their expansion and growth strategies across EMEA. She has spent her career in franchising, on both the franchisee side and the franchisor side, having worked for and developed foodservice brands in the Americas, Middle East and Europe. Over the last 10 years, she has resided in the Middle East and then Europe leading the franchise development and international growth for Dubai-based house of brands, Awj Investments, followed by U.S. restaurant group, Darden Restaurants, until joining WhiteSpace Partners in 2020. Rebecca is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and regularly contributes to the industry as a guest author, speaker and mentor.

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Katrin Wissmann

Frankfurt, Germany

Katrin Wissmann is the Executive Editor of european foodservice media and a long-standing editor of the German B-2-2 journal foodservice. She studied journalism and American Studies in Mainz (Germany), Pamplona (Spain) and in Middlebury, VT, (USA). After gaining initial professional experience in print, radio and television, she joined the editorial teams of foodservice and foodservice Europe & Middle East in 2006. Before her current position, which includes content planning and speaker coordination of the European Foodservice Summit, Katrin was Executive Editor of the international trade journal foodservice Europe & Middle East.

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