DES GUNEWARDENA CEO & CHAIRMAN, D&D LONDON

 

 

He was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka and has lived in London, United Kingdom for most of his life. He studied at St. Joseph’s College, Colombo until the age of seven and thereafter completed his secondary education at Wimbledon College, UK. He graduated with a degree in Economics from Bristol University, UK before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at Ernst & Young in 1981. In the mid 1980’s he was responsible for financial planning at property conglomerate Heron International, where he worked as a Financial Strategist from 1984 to 1989, before joining design entrepreneur Sir Terence Conran in 1991 as his business partner and Chief Executive Officer. During their fifteen-year period together they built Conran from a small design company into a global restaurant, retail, hotel and design company. In 2006, together with his current business partner, David Loewi and backed by private equity, he led a buyout of Conran Restaurants to form D&D London, a luxury hospitality group that now owns and operates over forty venues across London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Paris and New York (and previous restaurants in Tokyo and Copenhagen).

 

He is a Non-Executive Director of Fulham Shore; a UK based company, which owns and operates restaurants including The Real Greek and Franco Manca. He has also previously held Non-Executive Directorships of London First, and other publicly listed restaurant and design companies. For a number of years, he has been listed as one of Evening Standard’s Top 1000 Most Influential Londoners and in 2013, he was shortlisted as EY’s London Entrepreneur of the Year. He lives in Wimbledon with his wife Liz, and they have a son and a daughter. 

He is known as London’s restaurant King. He is diplomatic, suave and has a magnetic personality. He is a charismatic leader who effortlessly commands the attention of everyone in the room. He is innovative, creative and inspirational. He is an iconic global Entrepreneur; Des Gunewardena.

 

 

 

D&D London is a collection of forty-five diverse restaurants, bars and one luxury eighty-bedroom hotel. Almost all brands are principally based in London, and has locations in Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Paris and New York. Restaurants and Bars in the portfolio include:

 

 

 

(1)100 Wardour Street: An eclectic restaurant, bar and lounge with all-day modern European dining and live music right in the heart of London’s vibrant Soho. 

 

(2)14 Hills: Located on the 14th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street the modern British restaurant serves an all-day menu and has spectacular views of the City of London.

 

(3)Bluebird Chelsea: A local neighbourhood restaurant on a grand scale comprising of a café, bar and restaurant serving up a modern European menu.

 

(4)Bluebird Café: A chic, all-day drinking and dining destination in West London, with a beautiful terrace, bar and restaurant serving everything from breakfast to late night cocktails.

 

(5)Coq d’Argent: Serving classic French food in its spectacular rooftop setting at No.1 Poultry in the City of London, Coq d’Argent restaurant, grill outdoor terraces and gardens provide a verdant oasis in the heart of the Square Mile.

 

(6)German Gymnasium: Situated in the heart of King’s Cross, German Gymnasium offers a stunning Grand Café, a sophisticated first floor restaurant, two bars and an outdoor terrace. With a Mittel-European inspired menu for breakfast lunch or dinner, and late-night glamour at the chic Meister Bar. 

 

(7)Madison: Combining style, comfort food, killer cocktails and one of London’s best terraces, with an impressive view overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral.

 

(8)Quaglino’s: An iconic restaurant and late-night venue in the middle of London’s St James Street, making it the ideal place to indulge with contemporary European food, legendary cocktails and live music.

 

(9)Skylon: Situated on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre, Skylon offers stunning views of the River Thames from huge                  floor-to-ceiling windows. The main restaurant features modern European cuisine, while the grill offers more informal cooking and a relaxed atmosphere

 

(10)South Place Chophouse: A polished hotel brasserie in the heart of the city, serving British classics with a strong focus on locally sourced meat.

 

(11)The Den: Modern Soho meets an old school speakeasy, with a classic grassroots soundtrack and stay-all-night vibe.

 

 

(12)Sartoria: A stylish Italian restaurant set in the heart of London's Mayfair, on Saville Row serving a Calabrian-inspired menu.

 

(13)Radici: The neighbourhood Italian, Radici serves dishes inspired by Chef Patron Francesco Mazzei’s southern Italian heritage, including pizza, pasta and delicious small plates. There is also a selection of sharing dishes, as well as Sunday feasts served family-style.

 

 

(14)Plateau: Plateau sits atop Canada Place opposite One Canada Square tower in Canary Wharf and offers a view like no other in London. One can opt for either the elegant main restaurant or the more informal grill or try the latest seasonal cocktails in the bar. The venue also includes two outdoor terraces.

 

(15)Orrery: Elegant and sophisticated, Orrery serves modern French food in the heart of Mayfair and benefits from a beautiful terrace.

 

 

(16)Paternoster Chop House: Traditional classics and modern British dishes in a stylish location right next to St Paul’s Cathedral.

 

(17)Old Bengal Bar: A chic and atmospheric cocktail bar, Old Bengal Bar serves quality cocktails alongside light snacks and more substantial dishes.

 

 

 

 

(18)New Street Wine: A unique wine shop and bar in the city where guests are able to shop and sample quality, rare and fine wines over light snacks.

 

(19)Le Pont de la Tour: Overlooking the River Thames, the restaurant has a focus on traditional yet innovative French cuisine. Le Pont de la Tour is more than just a restaurant, with a bar, food store, wine merchant and bakery.

 

(20)Launceston Place: A hidden gem in Kensington, the elegant Launceston Place serves a flamboyant and seasonally-inspired British menu.

 

(21)New Street Grill: A modern take on the traditional British steakhouse, serving Josper-grilled cuts alongside an award-winning wine list.

 

 

 

 

(22)Haugen: An Alpine-inspire restaurant and bar serving casual             Mittle-European cuisine. In the heart of Stratford, Haugen boasts stunning views, two private dining rooms, two outside terraces and a rooftop bar.

 

(23)Fiume: With unrivalled views of the Thames and the iconic Battersea Power Station, Fiume is the perfect setting for tucking into rustic southern Italian recipes and aperitivos. Inspired by the traditional food of Chef Patron Francesco Mazzei’s homeland, the Mezzorgiono, the restaurant serves wholesome, hearty recipes made with fresh, vibrant ingredients from the Med.

 

 

 

 

(24)Cantina Del Ponte: A traditional Italian trattoria by the River Thames, with a warm welcome waiting, this is the perfect spot for a quick bit of lunch or relaxed dinner. Rustic and robust, Cantina del Ponte offers an authentic Italian menu.

 

(25)Butlers Wharf Chophouse: Nestled beside Tower Bridge, serving modern British dishes with an emphasis on prime cuts of meat and London ingredients.

 

 

 

 

(26)Blueprint Event Space: A newly renovated event space, Blueprint London offers guests some of the best uninterrupted views of London and an exceptional dining experience by Alexander and Björck. A perfect venue for events and is an iconic spot to host wedding celebrations.

 

(27)Angler: Perched at the top of South Place Hotel, Angler is a             Michelin-starred restaurant with a beautiful rooftop terrace, showcasing sustainable seafood from British waters with the best seasonal and local produce.

 

(28)Avenue: An elegant brasserie serving up modern European food in the heart of St. James Street offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Diners can expect a menu filled with contemporary dishes in a relaxed environment.

 

(29)Fish Market: Nestled beside Liverpool Street station, Fish Market, celebrates the best of the British shores, with fresh seafood, nostalgic seaside favourites and contemporary ‘order of the day’ fish dishes.

 

 

 

 

(30)Alcazar Paris: A chic Parisian restaurant, bar and private dining room in the heart of Saint-Germain serving an international menu.

 

 

 

 

 

(31)Bluebird London: A modern British brasserie in the heart of Midtown Manhattan overlooking Central Park.

 

(32)Guastavino’s: A unique architectural masterpiece under the 59th Street Bridge in New York. 

 

(33)Queensyard: An all-day dining destination that transitions from the day-time grab-and-go to a low-key evening wine bar in the café, light lunch in the Kitchen, afternoon tea, after-work drinks in the Bar to the Dining Room’s cosy but elegant dinner service.

 

 

(34)Klosterhaus: Located in the iconic grade one listed Quakers Friars building, Klosterhaus is composed of a glamorous restaurant, bar, event spaces and outdoor terraces, serving Mittel-European cuisine alongside German classics.  

 

 

 

 

 

(35)Issho: Leeds’ contemporary Japanese rooftop restaurant, offering dishes designed for sharing, complete with sushi and robata counters.

 

(36)Crafthouse: Seasonal British menus and stunning views across Leeds from the restaurant itself and its large terrace.

 

(37)Angelica: The city’s favourite place to party, with great food, a cracking cocktail list and a huge rooftop terrace.

 

(38)East 59th: A New York-style rooftop bar and grill in Leeds, serving a US-inspired menu.

 

 

(39)20 Stories: 20 Stories is composed of a glamorous restaurant, lively bar and expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled 360-degree views of the Manchester skyline.

 

 

Located between Moorgate and Liverpool Street, it is the first hotel from D&D London. The hotel offers eighty luxurious bedrooms with bespoke artwork by emerging, London based artists, as well as bathroom amenities by James Heeley and floor-to-ceiling windows. Besides being one of the most stylish hotels in the city, South Place Hotel is also known as a place to be wined and dined. The hotel features four bars and two restaurants, serving everything from breakfast through to late night cocktails. The iconic Chophouse, the buzzing 3Bar on the ground floor, Michelin-starred, Angler and their beautiful rooftop terrace on the seventh floor, all provide the perfect space for any occasion. The hotel is also home to the famous Secret Garden; a surprise outside bar with a retractable roof, offering a slice of tranquillity in the heart of London.

 

 

 

 

I ventured into hospitality from property and finance when I started working with Sir Terence Conran. I always loved good food, wine and design.

 

First investment was buying into Conran Holdings which was the parent company for               Sir Terence Conran’s businesses including Conran Restaurants. Thereafter, made more significant investment by buying out the restaurants in 2006.

 

In the 1990’s, I opened a nightclub in Paris with British house music under our restaurant Alcazar. It was very busy but we made no money because our customers were all young students from the suburbs, not city bankers as in London! I also initially failed in New York with a restaurant which, though very busy, was too big and therefore too costly to run. However, it is now a very successful catered event space hosting weddings, movie premieres and fashionable parties.

 

i.Great Eastern Hotel: This was our first entry into hotels in 2000. We were fifty percent owners of the real estate and we operated the hotel. We developed the hotel for £75m and sold it in 2005 for £150m. Much more profitable than restaurants!

 

 

ii.D&D London: Creating D&D in 2006.

 

By trusting my own judgement!

 

I thankfully didn’t really have a problem raising capital in London. When I needed to fund the 2006 buyout our restaurants were already very well known in London. 

 

I don’t really ever think I’m crazy, but I’m sure others do!

 

I like to do interesting projects and am happy to take risks. I don’t launch ventures just to make money.

 

The ‘why’ is because I love doing what I do.

 

(i)Gerald Ronson, Founder, Heron International, taught me business;

(ii)Sir Terence Conran taught me style;

(iii)My wife Liz taught me humanity.

 

I have no time for regrets.

 

My biggest fear is that the economy may prevent our restaurants from continuing to grow and therefore limiting their potential to be a truly global business. I manage my fear by working with great people and not getting carried away by the successes we have, as failures can arrive as quickly as successes. 

 

 

D&D is navigating through a potentially tough period for the UK economy. But we do also have a beautiful new rooftop restaurant called Orelle scheduled to open next month in Birmingham.

 

Our business is mainly to create new restaurant concepts. It is in our DNA to be looking for new ideas. The fact that we operate restaurants not only in the UK but also in New York and Paris means that we have wider range of experience and influences to draw on.

 

My next ambition is to build a substantial business in the US. We currently only have three operations, and all are in New York.

 

Remember that in a career it’s the journey not the destination that’s most important. Plan for tomorrow but live for today.

 

Yes, of course I have been discriminated against during my life. But I think I’ve developed a thick enough skin to not really have noticed it much, or to have allowed it to have a negative influence on me.

 

Yes, at some point in the future I would like to invest in opening a business in Sri Lanka. Watch this space for more details. 

 

I hope to be spending more time skiing and playing tennis. 

 

 

A good business friend of mine once said whilst having lunch at German Gymnasium, “Des do you know that you have given Londoners like me a lot of enjoyment with all the restaurants you’ve opened.” I’ll settle for that!