Hospitality innovators, strategists & dealmakers
At Think Hospitality Consulting, we do hospitality—end to end—with a focus on food and beverage. We help clients and venture partners unlock the full potential of F&B through smart, commercially driven strategy. Our work spans restaurants, hotels, investors and real estate. From reimagining global brands to advising on asset development or rural diversification, we deliver strategies that balance experience and performance.
What sets us apart is our blend of deep sector knowledge and strategic acumen. With partners from traditional consulting and banking backgrounds alongside hands-on restaurant expertise, we bridge the gap between passion and performance—translating vision into clear, actionable insight for investment committees and leadership teams alike. We’re not traditional consultants. We own and operate businesses, sit on boards, and bring a global network of trusted partners to every project. Our recommendations are data-informed, commercially sound and built to create long-term value.
Above all, we empower leaders. We challenge thinking, shape bold strategies, and help you take confident steps forward—without creating long-term dependence.
James Hacon
Founder & Managing Partner
United Kingdom
James is a leading name in hospitality growth, marketing & brand strategy, he has been an executive, board member, investor and consultant in the hospitality and restaurant technology sector for the past twenty years, having worked with more than 80 hospitality brands in dozens of countries, from independent Michelin starred restaurants to leading restaurant brands, international hotel companies, contract caterers and investors. Having worked in operations, insight, development, marketing, people and executive leadership, he combines 360° cross-disciplinary experience with an intellectual strategic mind set. He is regularly called upon for industry foresight, as a commentator, writer, speaker & facilitator; being featured by the BBC, New York Times, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, LBC, ITV, Al Jazeera & Radio Australia. He guides study tours, leads workshops and travels extensively all around the world for work giving him a unique insight into global restaurant trends and the very best hospitality brands. His brand experience includes Just Eat Takeaway, Sodexo, Compass Group, Krispy Kreme, Costa Coffee, Diageo, AMREST, Jamie Oliver Group, Wagamama, Sysco, Greene King, Gleneagles, Big Table Group, Greggs, Pret and IHG. He is the founder of the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator event series; long-time advisor to the Global Restaurant Investment Forum; has moderated UN Dialogue Discussions relating to hospitality; is an advisor to two UK-based charities supporting young and vulnerable people into the hospitality workforce; and has been actively involved in advocating for hospitality education reform across Europe & APAC. He has an infectious passion for the hospitality industry and champions the value it brings as a vehicle of economic growth and catalyst of social change.
Heleri Rande MBA
Partner
United Kingdom
Originally from Estonia, Heleri has lived in seven countries and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from New York University in Economics and Business, as well as an executive MBA in Hospitality Administration from École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland. After leading Puccini Group’s growth in EMEA for two years after graduation, she has partnered with Think Hospitality to deliver on F&B strategy projects helping brands and owners assess the market, find the right concept positioning and/or operator and chef for the properties through strategic advice and review. Her focus is mostly on hotel and mall development projects with a portfolio that includes the likes of Accor, Hilton, Kempinski, EC4 Hotels, SuperCity Group, Puro Hotels and Peel Holdings. She is the Consulting Editor of Supper Magazine and programme director at various major hospitality events around the world. She co-founded Ideas-Flavours-Experiences, the leading gastronomy event in the Baltics and the New Baltic Hospitality Forum, the first hotel focused event in the region. Heleri also sits on the board of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum and is the Stammvater of the UK Chapter of EHL Alumni Network.
Michael Ingemann MBA
Founder & Partner
Denmark
Michael has a deep and extensive experience leading and improving businesses across Europe. Working hands-on with investors and management teams in the food and hospitality sectors on developing ambitious but achievable strategies, and then getting all the business elements right for executing the plans and achieving the goals. After completing his MBA from Dartmouth College in the US, he spent a number of years with the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, as founder/CEO of technology firms in Scandinavia and the UK, and working with private equity firms across Europe. He is the chairman, director or advisor of a number of restaurants (from casual to Michelin starred), food, tech and communications companies in the UK, Scandinavia, the US & South America, giving him unique perspectives on what works and what doesn't - and a deep respect for the unique qualities and challenges of each individual business. Michael is the non-executive chairman of Claus Meyer Holding, trustee & non-executive director of the Melting Pot Foundation, non-executive chairman of RSVP, non-executive director of Relations People & advisory board member of Rockstart AgriFood Accelerator.
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines
Partner
United Arab Emirates
With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry in the Middle East Jennifer has made a name for herself as a ‘institution within the industry’. Through her role as Managing Director-Middle East, of The Bench she has developed strong relationships with the leaders of the hotel and restaurant investment industry around the world. Jennifer launched the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) in Dubai, which is one of the world's leading international restaurant investment events. Jennifer is extremely dedicated to bringing hotel and restaurant investors valuable insights and connections, and has built a strong hospitality investment community globally. Throughout her career to date, she has facilitated industry connections on most continents, and in the process, she has taken full advantage of exploring the retail, F&B and travel experiences on offer from Kigali to Casablanca. Jennifer has lived in Dubai for the last 15 years and established herself as an integral part of the Middle East’s hospitality community. She has grown GRIF's hospitality investment events into Saudi Arabia, taken their hospitality investment community into Russia, Turkey, and Africa, and driven the rapid expansion of GRIF's reach by taking the event from Dubai into Amsterdam for two years. Jennifer's hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, as she featured twice on the Caterer Middle East Power list, a testament to her influence and impact on the industry.
Laura Vana MA
Associate Partner
Estonia
Laura holds a Master’s Degree from Copenhagen University in Food Innovation and Health. After heading the Research and Development at Siigur Restaurant Group she is now helping brands with marketplace research, menu design & development, recipe development, digitisation of the operations and HACCP plans. She also has significant experience working with hospitality technology solutions, supporting go-to-market strategy and deployment. She is also experienced in marketing project management, competitor and market analysis as well as public speaking. In May 2019, Laura presented in Tel Aviv’s TEDx on “Kids- Play With Your Food.”
Christian Hall CA
Associate Partner
United Kingdom
Christian is a ‘big 4 trained’ chartered accountant and experienced company director, having been a Finance Director in businesses with revenues in excess of £150m. He has international experience working with quick growing companies, successfully supporting the businesses through their key acceleration stage, implementing systems, processes and models. Beyond the pure role of a finance director, Christian’s experience and knowledge stretches into the realms of commercial, purchasing, property & development projects. He works with businesses holistically to drive shareholder value, analysing and making the most of opportunities, recognising costs savings and streamlining workflows. Christian is also highly experienced at working with businesses to support them through investment due diligence for venture capital, private equity or bank funding, having led refinancing and investment rounds in excess of £10m. He was central to developing a business through to an exit of $106m. Christian is a partner at Azets accountancy practice and works with Think Hospitality as an associate partner.
Claire Scullion MA
Associate Partner
United Kingdom
Claire is an expert in menu science and optimisation with 11 years’ experience in this area, having led this practice for BBH London, Elliotts Agency and her own agency, working with national and international brands, including Whitbread, Carlson Rezidor, The Restaurant Group & Harry Ramsdens. She aims to make a tangible difference to the profitability of a menu based purely on its design, focused on implementing proven behavioural science techniques to understand the way consumers navigate their restaurant journey. The menu plays a significant role in this journey and not only do the restaurants see the obvious benefits, but customers also receive a better overall experience when more time and thought is afforded to the menu. She is the Managing Director of an established marketing agency and as associate partner with THINK Hospitality, collaborating on many projects, where a more international or commercial approach is called for.
Andrzej Sakowicz
Associate Partner
Poland
Andrew Sakowicz is a project manager and beverage and operations consultant with international experience across Asia, North America, and Europe, specialising in the food and beverage sector. As part of Think Hospitality, Andrew brings expertise in developing and executing sales and marketing strategies that drive growth and enhance market presence for hospitality brands. Andrew has a proven track record working with prominent brands such as Holland America Cruise Line, Di-Vine Cellars, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and multiple other projects. He has successfully driven sales growth for luxury hotel brands, particularly during his time at Di-Vine Cellars in the Maldives. Certified as a ScrumMaster® and Sommelier, Andrew combines his e-commerce and digital marketing skills with a deep understanding of client needs to offer tailored, practical advice for optimising business operations. His strong interpersonal and analytical skills ensure exceptional results for each client. With a passion for making a difference, Andrew embodies Think Hospitality’s commitment to providing strategies that improve efficiency, increase revenue, and help clients stay competitive in the market. His contribution ensures clients achieve their goals and maximise the potential of their hospitality ventures.
David Singleton MA
Associate Partner
United Arab Emirates
David has led and developed organisations around the world working with some of the world's best known and loved F&B brands in 40 countries. Through his Dubai based Oraculi practice he is a strategic advisor to brands, organisations, teams and ambitious senior executives in growth mode. David's experience in the F&B world has extended to wide ranging sectors from foodtech to private equity investment and wider consumer brands. He is considered an expert on matters of franchise development and globalisation. In 2022 he was included in the Caterer Middle East’s ‘Power List’ of restauranteurs and entrepreneurs who push the boundaries of region’s F&B scene and pioneers that are helping the industry reach the next level of technological advancement. David is a non executive director and board room advisor and combines his work as a leadership and transformational coach working with c-suite leaders and teams, supporting boardrooms with challenge, and perspective to stimulate powerful ambition to deliver exceptional results
Francis Kulaga
Associate
United States of America
Francis Kulaga is a seasoned hospitality leader with over 25 years of experience in operations, beverage management, and consulting. He has worked extensively across the United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the UK, specialising in launching new restaurants, microbreweries, and tasting rooms as a General Manager. As a Beverage Director, Francis excels in developing and implementing innovative beverage programs that drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, and elevate brand recognition. With certifications as a Master Sommelier and Certified Cicerone, he stays ahead of industry trends and leverages market opportunities to deliver exceptional results.