Team

Mr. Michael Thomaides a serial Entrepreneur and Investor started his career working in the Snack Food Manufacturing Division of Smiths Crisps . Michael has extensive experience in F&B and International Franchising setting up the First International Pizza Express Franchise in the Middle East . He also owned and operated to name but a few highly successful Restaurant /bars in London including Tartine Restaurant and Bar in Draycott Avenue Chelsea and Kingly Court Brasserie in Soho W1. Michael founded and owns Candy Cakes. He has developed extensive experience over the last 20 years in the retail sector including working closely with Tesco stores Plc and specifically targeting opportunities for British and European brands in the broader Middle East.

Michael Thomaides is also on the Board of London Properties Investment and Berkshire Capital Property Finance .

As a partner in Clarges Consulting partners , Mr. Thomaides has worked with and helped develop major international entertainment experiences for the Middle East region, together with a number of iconic retail concepts, including leisure, hospitality, fashion, and food & beverage brands.

Mr. Thomaides has worked with a large number of major clients in the gulf region, including large retail development groups, government entities, shopping mall operator/developers as well as significant global consumer brands.

Mr. Thomaides now lives in London Kensington , England with his wife and daughter.

Mr. Stephen James Cooke started his career working in the legal profession specialising in residential and commercial property transactions and probate and trust law. Since leaving private practice, he has developed extensive experience over the last 20 years in the retail sector, specifically targeting opportunities for British, European and US brands in the broader Middle East.

Stephen has worked with and helped develop major international entertainment experiences for the Middle East region, together with a number of iconic retail concepts, including leisure, hospitality, fashion, and food & beverage brands. he has successfully introduced into the Gulf region; WHSmith, Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, Big Yellow PLC, Lego retail, Fortnum and Mason, Allsaints, Itsugar. Patisserie Valerie, Loch FyneSeafood restaurants.

Stephen is currently working with House of Fraser, Hamleys, Merlin Entertainment, Itsu , Odeon./UCI Cinema Group, Pret A Manger, Cafe Nero, Urban Outfitters, Pound World, Disney, Hasbro, Third Space Fitness, Tiger, HEMA and Superdry. D&D London, Corbin and King RestaurantGroup. Wasabi Sushi and Bento,, Wafflemeister, Bar Italia. Dri Dri, Creams, Sony, Lucy Choi and Conde Nast.

Stephen has worked with a large number of retail clients in the Gulf region including Majid Al Futtaim, Apparel group, AKI, Bond Investment Partners and Emaar, he has also consulted in the travel retail sector with Agora Trading which resulted with the successful opening of Superdry in Sweden. Stephen has dealt with many significant global brands at board level.