7. Evgeny Kuzin
Company: Fundamental Hospitality
Designation: Chairman
Nationality: Russian
Headquarters: U.A.E.
Kuzin founded Fundamental Hospitality in the U.A.E. in 2011 alongside Maxim Vlasov. Today, the group owns and operates venues across the Middle East and Europe. Its portfolio of brands include GAIA, Shanghai Me, Alaya, La Maison Ani, Piatti, Maison de la Plage, and Izu Burger, and international franchises such as Scalini Dubai, Cipriani Dubai, and Cipriani Dolci U.A.E. In 2023, it announced a $140 million international expansion program focused on the GCC growth of new Dubai concepts, international expansion, and the introduction of new beachside concepts.