Jumeirah Restaurant Group Dubai, the home-grown restaurant management company, has appointed Richard Antony Cowling as its new operations manager with immediate effect.

Cowling returns to the group to oversee day-to-day operations across its casual premium dining brands: Al Nafoorah, Flow, Pai Thai, Perry & Blackwelder’s, Segreto, and Trattoria Toscana.

With more than two decades of experience within the restaurant and hospitality sector in both Europe and the Middle East, Cowling has been tasked with driving enhanced operational activities across the JRG Dubai portfolio. The British national will also spearhead recruitment and training of new joiners and be responsible for the group achieving KPIs in service standards and financial performance.

Having first worked with JRG Dubai as outlet manager for The Ivy as part of the pre-opening team in 2011, Cowling has since led a number of restaurants and hospitality groups across the UAE. His most recent role was operations manager at Nakheel Hospitality, a position which saw him conceptualise, develop and roll-out a number of the group’s brands.

In addition to leading JRG Dubai’s existing portfolio of restaurants, Cowling will work alongside the group’s senior management to further develop the current pipeline of new concepts.

Based at JRG Dubai’s head office, Cowling will report to the group’s general manager, Emma Banks. “Richard brings with him a wealth of experience that will support JRG Dubai’s vision and goal of offering our guests an exceptional experience across our casual premium dining outlets, both existing and pipeline projects. Through his dedication and inspirational leadership, JRG Dubai’s brands will continue to flourish and excel,” Banks said.

Cowling added: “JRG Dubai has undergone a number of changes in recent years, galvanising a team of exceptional operators to streamline the business and establish a strong basis for long term sustained growth. The capability of the management team in all areas is unique in the market and I feel fortunate to join at an exciting time when we are upping the game on our successful well-loved brands and homing in on some exciting new developments.”