The expression ‘it runs in the family’ is one that aptly suits Naim Maadad, who is the Founder and CEO of the UAE’s Gates Hospitality. 

“I was born into a family of hospitality. It’s always been in the blood,” the Australian explains with a smile. But the 30-year career of the man behind some of the country’s most popular expat restaurants began with a rash decision. 

“I was in my third year of law at uni when I packed up all of my books,” he says. “I went home and said, ‘You know what, law is not for me.’” Despite initially being put off by seeing his family work long hours and over the holidays, Naim decided to join the hospitality industry, a decision he sticks by today. His journey started with his enrolment at the world-renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu – and it spanned the world. 

Early in his career, Naim worked with leading hotel brands, which took him from Tokyo and Singapore to Bangkok, Australia, and finally, the Middle East when, in 1999, he joined the opening team of the world-renowned Burj Al Arab. 

“It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in such a rich experience. The level of opening that we were committed to in that particular property was phenomenal. There was no budget, it was all about putting Dubai on the map,” recounts Naim.

After successfully doing just that, his attention turned to a problem he’d seen re-occur throughout his stints in hotels – the fact that general operations (including restaurants) came second to filling the rooms. “I thought this is where a person like myself who understands the hotel world can provide solutions,” he says. This insight laid the foundation for what would become Gates Hospitality in 2010. Naim created the business with three core pillars – hotels and resorts, food and beverage, and holistic wellness – with consulting being a later addition. 

Gates Hospitality quickly carved out its niche by not just creating spaces but curating experiences. “It’s not just about the rooms. Hospitality is not an industry – it’s a lifestyle,” the entrepreneur states. This mantra underscores everything Gates Hospitality does. Whether it’s the now-iconic Reform Social & Grill, the beloved Michelin-starred Folly (which closed earlier this year after seven years of operation), or the luxurious Six Senses Zighy Bay, his projects consistently provide unique experiences that resonate with their clientele. 

This focus on experience rather than mere functionality has seen the company expand from the UAE to the UK, Africa, and Australia. Today, it operates over 56 restaurants, and while not all are directly managed by Gates, Naim remains involved in conceptually designing and operating many of these venues. His foresight has allowed Gates Hospitality to stay ahead of the curve and become a household name for expats living in the UAE. 

But Naim’s impact on Dubai’s food and beverage scene goes beyond innovation. He has played a pivotal role in positioning the city as a global culinary destination. “It was a matter of time for people to take Dubai’s culinary scene seriously,” he explains when asked about the increasing number of international awards that has been flooding the region. 

Despite the market being “over-saturated”, as Naim puts it, the businessman remains optimistic about the future. This is largely because Gates Hospitality focuses its efforts on expatriate residents, with 80 per cent of its clientele being repeat customers. 

This will come as no surprise to those who have been in the Emirates for a while and frequented his popular eateries. And for Naim, this is the very definition of success. “When I have the same people visiting my restaurants and who feel the place is theirs rather than mine, that’s a massive gain,” he notes.

Looking to the future, the CEO is committed to keeping the brand ahead of the curve. “How do we keep moving forward? How do we embrace change?” he asks rhetorically when pondering his next moves. 

For Naim, the answer lies in staying engaged with the people he’s serving. “If your purpose is very clear, and you continue contributing towards it, you can’t fail,” he concludes.

From a reluctant start in hospitality to becoming a leading figure in the sector, Naim’s impact on the country’s dining scene is obvious. And it’s one that won’t be slowing down anytime soon. “Honestly, I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” he admits. With Folly’s secretive reopening on the near horizon, we’re just waiting to see what Gates Hospitality plates up next.

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