Simon Binder simon@maincourse-uk.com
Simon has been in restaurant industry all his life. Over the last 35 years he has created (and successfully sold) a restaurant chain, been CEO of a PLC and been involved with many interesting start ups.
Simon founded MCA having worked with some of the industry giants namely Robert Earl, Roger Myers, Karen Jones, Alan Crompton-Batt, Claudio Pulze and lots more. Many of his long term supplier relationships have become lifelong friends. He is passionate about food , a music enthusiast and in his spare time loves nothing more than to spend time with his family and friends. |
Garth Warnes [email protected]Garth is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in restaurant sector. Having qualified in 1990 at Grant Thornton Garth left the profession to join Café Med helping to expand the company and a successful sale in 2001.
Garth subsequently worked with Oliver Peyton's Gruppo, Neville Abraham at Chez Gerard restaurants, Cadbury Trebor Bassett on Cadbury Café. He was financial director of Gordon Ramsay Holdings between 2005 and 2007. Garth is a founder member of MCA. Garth enjoys his music, is passionate about farming and spends his weekends working on his farm. |
Muhammad Asif [email protected]Having qualified as an accountant, Asif has held many senior financial positions including Finance Director roles for various ventures, encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry.
He started his career at Gordon Ramsay in 2006 before moving on to MCA and became a partner in 2011. He acts as an advisor to start ups and groups of companies alike. Asif has a broad spectrum of analytical and strategic skills Other than the excitement of growing the business, Asif loves his cricket. He is a zealous traveller and enjoys cooking. |
Darrin Jacobs darrin@maincourse-uk.comClassically trained as a chef at South East London College where he left as student of the year. Darrin worked his way through Langan's with Richard Shepherd. L'Escargot with Martin Lam and the now long gone Au Jardin Des Gourmet with Paul Bocuse's sous chef. In 1996 he met up with Simon Binder to open the first Cafe Med in Nottinghill Gate and has worked together since.
Currently working at the city based Luc's Brasserie in Leadenhall Market. Darrin loves eating out, enjoys his music and is fanatical about cars |
luca costanzo [email protected]After graduating in Business Administration, Luca went to Stockholm Business School to learn about International Business. He then went to KPMG, Rome, and became a manager in Corporate Finance advisory.
He was subsequently a planning and M&A director at Neomobile for two years, and then joined a private equity firm in Rome as an Investment Manager where he looked after investments in hospitality sector. Aside from studying for his MBA, Luca enjoys football and likes to travel with his wife. |
Hugo Arnold (Associate) [email protected]Specialties: Customer journey, food preparation and presentation, financial benefits of a systemised approach, strategy and implementation 20 years of writing about food, 11 books, several newspaper columns and a client list of some of Ireland and the UK's major restaurant companies, food service providers and agencies
hugoarnold.com |
Adam Armstrong [email protected]
With over 20 year’s of accounting experience in hospitality industry, Adam has worked with some of the most illustrious names in the business. He started his career at D&D London before taking up a number of senior positions at The Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre and Searcys Of London.
Adam specialises in new openings, refurbishments and turnaround of existing businesses, from initial feasibility studies to delivery of finished projects and strict budgetary controls.
When not immersed in the restaurant business, Adam has a huge passion for cooking and is a keen swimmer.
Adam specialises in new openings, refurbishments and turnaround of existing businesses, from initial feasibility studies to delivery of finished projects and strict budgetary controls.
When not immersed in the restaurant business, Adam has a huge passion for cooking and is a keen swimmer.