Martin Meijer
Martin Meijer is an award-winning interior designer and for 25 years has worked with blue-chip companies, entrepreneurs, professional consultancies and individuals in Ireland, UK, Dubai and China. Well versed at leading an international team of design experts across all disciplines.
He started his career as a trainee Architect with Whitbread PLC a global Hospitality Company, listed on the FTSE100 who sponsored him to study Construction at Luton University. With direct exposure to operators, he quickly understood that great innovative design needed to be delivered within brief, budget and most importantly time. This provided a solid grounding in the industry, gaining experience with global brands such as Café Rouge, Premier Inn and TGI Fridays.
In 1996, he worked with an entrepreneur and local investors to design and build Durty Nellies, the first Irish Pub in Beijing, China. One of the highlights of this adventure was sourcing old wood and recycled material from local villages and seeing workmen demolish stud walls with spades and kung-fu.
The experience encouraged him to establish and run The Forester, an award-winning bar, restaurant and hotel in Hampshire, the UK which was featured on television, radio and print. This first-hand operational experience enables him to have a real understanding of successful F&B outlets.
In 2006 his passion for design drove him to return to the profession and a period of working as the Director for a boutique consultancy on high-end residential properties owned by A list celebrities such as the actor, Colin Farrell and Bono in Ireland and VIP Nightclubs in Mayfair, London.
Having built a strong relationship with the Nightclub contractor, they partnered to establish a design and build business in Dubai in 2009. Despite the recession, they were successful in developing residential projects on the Palm Jumeira and hospitality projects for Jebel Ali Resorts. Having streamlined the business to focus on design, Martin Meijer is at the forefront of Mojo, a successful interior design consultancy.
Laura Parkes
Laura is a strategic marketer with over 20 years of experience in brand building, revenue growth, and consumer engagement. Delivering high-impact marketing solutions for B2B and B2C audiences, both global brands, and start-ups.
She has a rich background working across multiple industries including F&B, retail, hospitality, media, tech, and education. Passionate about developing innovative customer 1st experiences, mixing customer insight with creativity and data to drive growth across all touchpoints.
Experienced leader accustomed to working in fast-paced environments balancing long term strategy with short term tactics to deliver against KPIs. Skilled at delivering strategic vision with a focus on implementation.
Laura has launched several new brands in the F&B, education, entertainment, and tech space. Working with UK brand SwipeStation, the marketing component helped secure investment from private investors. As Head of Marketing at Yahoo! Middle East, she led the rebrand following the acquisition of local start-up Maktoob. More recently, she launched the brand Ora Nursery of the Future, a collaboration between Al Tamimi Investments and the Prime Minister’s Office here in the UAE.