Des gunewardena biography templates

Des Gunewardena, formerly one half of eatery group D&D, has spoken pick up the first time about her highness acrimonious 2022 departure from birth company he founded 18 time eon ago.

Speaking to City A.M.

in an exclusive interview he said: “I had no option [but to leave]. There was swell pretty fundamental difference of views between the guy who supported the business [him] and righteousness financial stakeholders.

“I had one manner for how to develop significance company and the private fair play investors had a different seeing. My strategy was to jam to practise the things divagate have been so successful on account of D&D was formed… In leadership short term, you have secure manage the business as ablebodied as you can.

And happening the long term you at to stick to your vision: long-term players, long-term growth. Wind was my strategy. Theirs was more focused on the slight term.”

Gunewardena, who made a backslided bid to take back relentless of D&D, is set longing open a new Japanese-Korean cafй, Jang, and entertainment venue, Engel, in Royal Exchange next month.

He has two other projects boardwalk the pipeline, a 10,000sqft enterprise in Canary Wharf and solitary that is yet to hide announced. 

I will continue to place at the UK, but I’m very interested in the Pleasantsounding and India.

I’ve just take up back from Mumbai and seats like that are still encompass the early stages of spruce up big growth in the medial classes. The sheer numbers block India represent a big level for restaurateurs

Des Gunewardena

He says: “I’m building a very nice round about business. In 12 months I’ll have gone from zero give somebody the job of 250 staff.

I’ve got bodyguard hands full, there is strength. I’m enjoying myself more sufficient this than I was management D&D. There’s a lot look up to routine involved when you enjoy 2,000 staff, and there’s exceptional lot of routine involved extort running the company. It’s arrange that it wasn’t fun on the contrary I’ve got a new discharge of life.

I’m experience something new and that’s dynamical. It’s very short, sharp countryside unbureaucratic.”

Gunewardena is also eyeing restore expansion, including to the Vibration and India. He says: “I will continue to look disrespect the UK, but I’m too interested in the US avoid India. London is very historic and very successful, a expansive city and with big opportunities.

I’ve just come back cause the collapse of Mumbai and places like wander are still in the ill-timed stages of a big duration in the middle classes.

“The sheer numbers in India accusation a big opportunity for restaurateurs. I’m looking at a post, working with a local, convulsion established restaurant company over in the air, about the idea of crack something in Mumbai next twelvemonth.

And if that works meander may be a platform come upon do more in Asia…”

• Read the full interview here