Food & Hotel Asia (Food & Beverage) 2027

Andrew brings 40 years of industry experience in F&B/nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to OUE Restaurants. As Chief Operating Officer, Andrew directly oversees the day to day running of the company. Andrew has worked in a variety of roles in a variety of concepts, developing a strong foundation for the success of such businesses, which are based on 3 principles – applying a hospitality mindset to an organization (both internally and externally), adopting progressive human capital practices, and knowing how to build a strong brand. One of his key strengths is being able to review existing business units and then build teams to deliver better results for key stakeholders. In recent years, he has expanded his network through pro-bono work with various government agencies (Ministry of Manpower, Institute of HR Professionals and the former Workforce Development Agency), trade associations (Restaurant Association of Singapore and Singapore Nightlife Business Association), and learning institutions (Republic Polytechnic and SHATEC). Prior to OUE Restaurants, Andrew spent 9 years with The Lo & Behold Group, and before that, he was with Catalist-listed St James Holdings, operating the 70,000 sq ft multi-entertainment complex St James Power Station. Prior to St James, he was a Partner and the Regional Project Director of youth marketing agency The Filter Group, handling marketing activation projects and public relations support for clients in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Osaka. He moved to Singapore in 1993 to be the Marketing Manager of Zouk (the number 1 dance club in Asia for the past 30 years) and created and produced the first ZoukOut festival in Dec 2000. From 1990 to 1993, he worked in Hong Kong for a concert promoter, staging concerts by artists such as Simply Red, Bobby Brown, Paula Abdul, and Paul Simon. Andrew was born in Sydney and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce (major in marketing) from the University of New South Wales; he also attended the Sydney Grammar School.

Nathanael is an Insight Manager at Euromonitor International based in Singapore. He specialises in beverage products in Asia Pacific, with a specific focus on coffee and milk tea shops, product innovations, market entry strategies as well as health and wellness trends. He has written various reports including the rise of Asian coffeeshops in Asia Pacific, and consumers need states, engaging with various international and regional beverage players. His insights are shared across business and trade press, including Channelnewsasia, Nikkei Asia and BBC and on stage in various industry events including Thaifex Anuga Asia, Food Hotel Asia and Asia International Coffee Conference.

Although Sam started his career working in kitchens at the age of 16, his career evolved to include hotel operations, financial feasibility consulting, valuation, tourism master planning, and brand creation. In his role at Social F+B, he leverages his unique combination of operational, financial, and creative experiences to develop targeted strategies and compelling F&B solutions.

Brandon Ho is the Regional Head of F&B Concepts (APAC) at Avolta, the world’s largest operator of travel F&B venues. Through curating and launching F&B concepts at key airports & travel channels in the region, Brandon works with like-minded F&B brands and airport partners to deliver compelling dining experiences to the time-pressed traveller. Having been involved in F&B Operations & Development at Marina Bay Sands and in the promotion of Singapore as a gastronomic destination with the Singapore Tourism Board, the Cornell University Hotel School graduate believes in the power of F&B & hospitality to shape lives & to spread joy.