Profile

Simon Wright

Founder & Chairman
TGP International

Simon has a career spanning over 35 years in the hospitality industry working in KSA, Beirut, Dubai, London, Paris and Sydney, and with such companies as Inter-Continental Hotels, Conran Restaurants and Ian Schrager Hotels. Simon formed TGP International in 2002 and since then company has carried out operational advisory work, concept development and design work for such companies as Hilton International, Intercontinental Hotels, Harrods, Marriott International, St Regis Hotels, Accor, Selfridges and The Dorchester Collection as well as carrying out advisory contracts in KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE and all over the Middle East, Europe and the US, and has supported the licensing development of brands such as Sushi Samba, Asia de Cuba, and Scarpetta. Simon also headed up the TGP team as the overall F&B consultant and advisor to Expo 2020 Dubai with oversight of over 200+ F&B offers encompassing interior design, conceptualizing, marketing and commercial management. Simon and the TGP team started delivering projects in KSA in 2013, predominantly in Jeddah and Riyadh, with support on design, concept development and franchising deals. From 2016-2021 Simon helped take the Sisban/Trofi group from 3 sites in Jeddah to over 100 sites in 6 countries, including Over Jar, Habra, Lunch Room and Khayal, before moving back to focus on TGP. TGP International’s latest project opening is Al Mamlaka Social Dining in the Kingdom Centre, a first-of-its-kind 37,000sq-ft luxury food hall which unites Saudi culture, alongside global food and beverage concepts. Welcoming more than 7,000 visitors per day since its recent opening, Al Mamlaka Social Dining boasts richly immersive and interactive dining experiences, spanning 21 masterful kitchens, 8 new-to-market brands and 5 award-winning chefs. Other current KSA projects include leading the retail, dining and entertainment strategy for a Qiddiya district; repositioning of F&B entertainment, leisure & wellness for the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh & Jeddah; the development of global expansion of the Saudi Coffee Company and F&B masterplanning for the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture – Ithra - in Dhahran, restructuring their food & beverage, retail and venue hire offerings.