Harrison is off to a flying start in 2016 with the expansion of its UAE business, the addition of two new senior designers and a strengthening pipeline of local projects.
Joining the company’s Middle East operation, located in the heart of Dubai’s leisure hospitality district, are Harrison UK bar and restaurant senior designer Kerrie Gray and hotel hospitality designer Jim Rankin, who arrives as Head of Design (UAE).
The duo will be working alongside technical director Warwick Snelling and Harrison design director and UAE head Jon Bentley – both of whom have worked in the UAE for a number of years. They will spearhead new projects from clients such as Meraas Holdings, Al Tayer Group, Meraki, Jumeirah Group and Food Fund International.
Latest Dubai openings for Harrison’s UAE design team include the uniquely quirky Bikes ‘n’ Bites at Boxpark, renowned head chef Neil Witney’s South American-themed restaurant Poco Loco at The Beach on JBR, Food Fund International’s second Eat Greek at the Mall of the Emirates and Jumeirah’s Italian-themed Trattoria Toscana and modern Chinese restaurant Zheng He’s at Souk Madinat and Mina A’Salam respectively.
Projects currently underway include the design and rollout of one of New York City’s most iconic restaurants, Serendipity 3, at Dubai Festival City and City Walk for Al Tayer Group and a third Eat Greek at The Dubai Mall.
Commenting on Harrison’s UAE success and ongoing design investment, Jon Bentley said: “This is a tremendously exciting time for us here in the Middle East as local operators focus increasingly on our international experience with large, multi-unit projects.
“Since establishing a business and a full design team here in Dubai, our workload has more than tripled and is growing well. This is why we are continuing to invest in our talent and our infrastructure.
“Our new team members, Kerrie and Jim, have vast international experience in both multiple and one-off concepts covering late night venues, restaurants and hotel projects.
They will provide our clients with fresh, creative, on-trend designs which will work effectively on an operational level and inspire the ever-maturing Dubai market.”