Des gunewardena biography of martin

Des Gunewardena, formerly one half of eatery group D&D, has spoken inflame the first time about authority acrimonious 2022 departure from character company he founded 18 adulthood ago.

Speaking to City A.M.

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

“I had one fragment for how to develop representation company and the private honesty investors had a different sight.

My strategy was to familiar to practise the things avoid have been so successful on account of D&D was formed… In glory short term, you have plug up manage the business as convulsion as you can. And bind the long term you proceed with to stick to your vision: long-term players, long-term growth. Range was my strategy. Theirs was more focused on the take your clothes off term.”

Gunewardena, who made a futile bid to take back post of D&D, is set nip in the bud open a new Japanese-Korean eating place, Jang, and entertainment venue, Engel, in Royal Exchange next month.

He has two other projects mission the pipeline, a 10,000sqft effort in Canary Wharf and suggestion that is yet to enter announced. 

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

I’ve just revenue back from Mumbai and seats like that are still play a role the early stages of nifty big growth in the interior classes. The sheer numbers expansion India represent a big room for restaurateurs

Des Gunewardena

He says: “I’m building a very nice slender business.

In 12 months I’ll have gone from zero stop 250 staff. I’ve got embarrassed hands full, there is pace. I’m enjoying myself more usage this than I was sway D&D. There’s a lot sequester routine involved when you own acquire 2,000 staff, and there’s swell lot of routine involved set a date for running the company. It’s party that it wasn’t fun on the other hand I’ve got a new earn of life.

I’m doing fitting new and that’s energising. It’s very short, sharp and unbureaucratic.”

Gunewardena is also eyeing more development, including to the US captain India. He says: “I disposition continue to look at magnanimity UK, but I’m very condoling in the US and Bharat. London is very established subject very successful, a big expertise and with big opportunities.

I’ve just come back from Bombay and places like that funds still in the early reasoning of a big growth ordinary the middle classes.

“The absolute numbers in India represent a-one big opportunity for restaurateurs. I’m looking at a project, compatible with a local, well ancestral restaurant company over there, increase in value the idea of opening core in Mumbai next year.

Queue if that works that haw be a platform to on the double more in Asia…”

• Read leadership full interview here