Michael Marlay

Michael took over as CEO at the London based publicly listed Time Out Group at a pinnacle time, to support the strategic growth of their Time Out Markets globally. Renowned for curating culinary experiences that offer the ‘best of the city’ under one roof, Time Out Markets brings Michelin and home grown culinary talent together for the world to experience. He leads a passionate team of hospitality professionals, whom represent the best leaders of the city in the 15 cities, across 10 countries and on 4 continents in which they are based. Reporting directly to the Group CEO, Michael is responsible for the global Markets and supports growth of the group’s Markets in Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Michael joined the London based publicly listed Time Out Group at a pinnacle time, to support the strategic growth of their Time Out Markets globally. Renowned for curating culinary experiences that offer the ‘best of the city’ under one roof, Time Out Markets bring Michelin and home grown culinary talent together for the world to experience. Reporting directly to the Group CEO, Michael is responsible for the Global Operations and supports growth of the group’s Markets in Europe, Africa, Canada, USA, Japan and the Middle East.

Supporting the founders and partners, Michael joined Tashas Group to help evolve their businesses through the next important chapter of regional and international growth, expanding multiple brands into KSA, Bahrain and London, while continuing growth in their home markets, adding 10 new openings during his tenure. While overseeing the Group’s verticals and brands in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Michael directly ran the the Group’s Management Company in the Middle East, achieving new levels customer satisfaction, sustaining double digit like-for-like sales growth, while leading them to record profits.

Responsible ultimately for creating and delivering Extraordinary Memorable Guest Experiences, proudly leading and inspiring 500 pirates across 28 outlets and the Group’s support office, Michael was responsible for the day-to-day operations of Pirata Group in Hong Kong and China. Supporting Manuel, the Pirata Group Founder & CEO, Michael helped lead the Group through the challenges of a COVID Zero market environment, seeing the Group not only survive, but thrive. During his tenure the team doubled the size of Group operations, expanded internationally into China, served an annualized 1.5 million guests and adding circa 100 million HKD to Pirata Group valuation.

At the Al Futtaim Group, during very challenging market conditions, Michael spearheaded the group’s F&B expansion across MENA and Asia. As the region’s largest privately owned conglomerate, Al Futtaim partners include world renowned brands such as IHG Hotels, IKEA, Marks and Spencer, Jones The Grocer, Super Chix and TWG with their operations stretching across 17 markets from Cairo to Hong Kong.

Michael was a member of Alshaya's executive team, serving as a Vice President in their Food Division and overseeing the creation and expansion of the group’s premium and home brands across MENA, in Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, KSA and the UAE. As one of MENA’s leading franchise partners, Alshaya operates over 70 global brands from Four Seasons to Starbucks and is renowned for the quality focus and exceptional brand growth.

Michael started his career as a management trainee with Hyatt International after completing hotel school in his native Australia. He then joined Radisson to open their first resort property in Australia, before being sent as a part of the Radisson takeover team to rebrand the Intercontinental in Vanuatu. Two years later, Michael was given his first Asian posting, serving as F&B Director with Century International for their new projects in Indonesia and then Vietnam. Michael remained in Vietnam for five years, working on several projects including the famed Saigon Floating Hotel before being appointed Country Manager for SHL. In this role Michael obtained the country's first 100% foreign F&B investment license, before being promoted and transferred to Singapore corporate office, where he headed the Group's regional operations. Michael moved to Japan in 1998, where he served as Director of Operations with Hilton International, in both Otaru and Nagoya. He then went on to work at the prestigious Tokyo American Club, where he worked for eight years on the Club’s extensive $300 million, three phase, redevelopment and rebranding project. After 12 very successful years in Japan, Michael returned to his native Australia to work on the redevelopment and repositioning of the iconic Leading Hotel of the World, Hayman Island. In 2011 Michael returned to Asia where he oversaw Group F&B operations for Sunway International, based at their 1,234 room mixed development in Kuala Lumpur. He then moved to the Middle East and took on the role of Group General Manager for B Concept, a Saudi based restaurant development group, where he was responsible for expanding the group's operations across the region.

Financial Accounting - Intensive (Distinction)