Matt Rickard

I am a strategic, commercially focused business leader with 20+ years of international experience delivering at the premium end of the hospitality and customer experience sector. My career spans complex project mobilisation, multi‑site F&B operations, major global events, business development, product and service innovation, go‑to‑market strategy, and organisational transformation. I bring deep P&L ownership, a strong commercial lens, and a consistent record of driving revenue growth and strengthening the bottom line. Thriving in fast‑paced, high‑expectation environments, I combine creativity, operational discipline, and decisive execution to deliver results at speed. Known for uncompromising standards, I build trust and alignment across diverse stakeholder groups. I excel in roles requiring strategic clarity, operational excellence, and the ability to deliver large‑scale, multi‑site projects on time, on budget, and at an exceptional level.

I’m an international hospitality and commercial project leader with more than two decades of experience building, scaling, and transforming premium F&B operations across the UK, UAE, KSA, US, and Europe. My career has centred on leading complex mobilisations, shaping commercial strategy, and delivering strong financial performance in high‑expectation, brand‑sensitive environments.

I’ve built businesses from the ground up, including establishing Absolute Taste’s presence in the Middle East and launching Dubai’s first major kosher CPK operation with Emirates Flight Catering. I’ve also led major global projects such as the full F&B mobilisation for Expo 2020, and held senior leadership roles with Compass Group, Mandarin Oriental, Delaware North at Wembley Stadium, and Absolute Taste internationally.

Across every role, I bring deep P&L ownership, a strong commercial lens, and a people‑first leadership style. I thrive in environments where clarity, pace, creativity, and operational discipline are essential, and I’m focused on roles that drive organisational growth, unlock new revenue streams, and deliver strategic, asset‑led impact.

Hospitality Management BA Hons

Executive Leadership Judge Business School