Minor International Establishes Advisory Board in UK

(13 Apr 2022, 11:25 +07)  Minor International, the owning company of multiple businesses in the United Kingdom, has put together an Advisory Board made up with leaders from across the restaurant, hospitality, property and banking sectors.

The board will help oversee the group’s strategic decisions, including establishing continuity between the portfolio of restaurants and hotels in the United Kingdom and Minor’s investment and growth plans.

William E Heinecke

Minor is heavily invested both in the UK and globally as an owner, operator, investor and JV partner of a portfolio of more than 3,300 restaurants. Its investments include the Patara brand of high-end Thai restaurants; Benihana, an entertaining Japanese steakhouse dining experience; other respected brands such as Zuma, Trader Vic’s in Thailand, and several Michelin-star restaurants across Europe; as well as NH and nhow hotels in London.

A recent addition to the group includes the Corbin & King portfolio of restaurants. Having held a 74% shareholding interest and a controlling board position in the company since 2017, Minor acquired 100% ownership of the company’s assets and businesses on 1 April 2022.

The Advisory Board includes:

• William E Heinecke (pictured), Chairman and Founder, Minor International;

• Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO Minor International, CEO Minor Hotels;

• Ian Livingstone, co-Executive Chairman, London & Regional Properties;

• Evelyn Rowland Baring, 4th Earl of Cromer, former member of the House of Lords;

• Mohammad Syed, Head of Asset Management at Coutts, private banking and wealth management; and

• Edward Hubenette, Board of Directors, Minor International.

A seasoned entrepreneur who has overseen the growth of Minor to its current scale of more than 520 hotels and resorts, more than 3,300 restaurants and 380 retail stores across more than 60 countries, William (Bill) Heinecke joins the Board with over five decades in the industry. His aptitude for identifying opportunities and creating synergies that propel iconic brands globally will be crucial when formulating growth strategies for the diverse portfolio.

Dillip Rajakarier, a fellow long-time Minor executive, has the unique perspective of an industry veteran who worked in the British hospitality sector, including Orient Express Hotels, for some twenty years, and understands the singular place the restaurants and hotels occupy in the local market. Since joining Minor Hotels in 2007, he has propelled Minor’s growth to become one of the largest hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle companies globally.

Ian Livingstone, whose real estate company, London & Regional Properties, owns a broad portfolio of assets including luxury hotels and restaurants, is a UK hospitality and property sector insider with a global outlook. His experience working with industry leaders such as Fairmont, Nobu and the renowned Cliveden House in Berkshire uniquely positions him to advise on harmonizing responsible growth with the core values of the hotels and restaurants.

Lord Cromer is currently the chairman of the Western Provident Association and has served as both executive and non-executive director at a number of companies including Pacific Basin Shipping, Schroder Asia Pacific, JP Morgan China, Lazard Vietnam, Barings China. Lord Cromer will join the advisory board, helping to make strategic decisions stemming from his decade of experience serving boards across the globe ensuring longevity and the preservation of culture and heritage.

Mohammad Kamal Syed has spent over three decades working in senior Executive and board level positions in financial services. This has included roles in investment banking and wealth management at global firms such as Barclays, Tokyo-Mitsubishi Bank and more recently at NatWest and Coutts. He sits on a number of committees and boards of several private and public companies including the Rose Review Council for female entrepreneurs, The British Academy, and Create the Change Board for Francis Crick Institute. Syed will be instrumental in advising on purpose and strategy in alignment with long-term goals.

Edward Hubenette is an international business leader with recognized skills in developing, motivating and coaching leaders for the future. A veteran of the hospitality industry, Hubenette served as Vice President for Marriott International in Europe, Asia and the Pacific. He is also a Trustee of Bobby Kennedy Jr’s Waterkeepers Alliance, serves on the Board of Directors for The Red Cross - San Francisco, and is an active member of numerous non-profit organizations. Edward Hubenette’s extensive experience in the hospitality sector and developing and motivating talent will make an important contribution to the strategic direction moving forward.

“Now as before, our commitment remains to protect the jobs and ensure the long-term success of our restaurants and hotels in the United Kingdom through transparency, investment and careful planning,” said William E. Heinecke, Chairman & Founder, Minor International. “I am confident that our newly appointed Advisory Board will provide excellent guidance as we continue to sustainably build our British hospitality portfolio. It is our goal to protect and nurture the uniqueness of our hotels and restaurants as we transition into the next chapter of our business. We are thrilled to welcome such a distinguished group of industry and society leaders and look forward to working together to achieve responsible and balanced growth and longevity for the future.”