Simon Binder, Chairman of hospitality accountancy, Paperchase, with 40 years of running restaurants, offers some sound advice to would-be new restaurateurs.
Simon Binder, Chairman of hospitality accountancy, Paperchase, with 40 years of running restaurants, offers some sound advice to would-be new restaurateurs.
A seasoned Chartered Accountant, boasts over 15 years of dedicated service with Paperchase Accountancy, specializing in catering to the intricate accounting needs of the hospitality industry, particularly within the dynamic Middle East region. Renowned for his technological proficiency and dynamic leadership, he spearheads the optimization of back-office operations, diligently enhancing process efficiency for our esteemed restaurant clientele while fortifying their financial frameworks. Bhavin excels in translating client requirements into tangible financial triumphs, fostering profound trust among investors, proprietors, and teams alike. His collaborative ethos and unwavering commitment to ongoing refinement have propelled Paperchase Middle East's hospitality clients toward unparalleled success, cementing his role as the driving force behind their triumphs.
Sushant Parihar is a seasoned professional serving as the Head of the Project Management at Paperchase. With an illustrious career spanning 14 years, Sushant has honed his expertise in project management and training & development, becoming a driving force behind successful project implementations and organizational growth. During his tenure of 3 years at Paperchase, Sushant has been instrumental in spearheading a diverse array of projects, from orchestrating the establishment of new offices in burgeoning markets like India to orchestrating the seamless execution of global-level events, Sushant has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver results with precision and effectiveness.
With over 14 years of leadership at Paperchase, Maulik is an expert in understanding business dynamics and offering tailored solutions to enhance business operations. Under his guidance, PBSL excels in accounting, VAT, tax payroll, and end-to-end back-office operations. He consistently introduces innovative strategies that streamline operations, increasing efficiency leading to client satisfaction. He has seen tremendous growth due to his expertise in bringing clients on board and maintaining long-term partnerships. He is a man of discipline, dedication and reliance and this is what makes him distinct from his peers. His motivational skills enable his team to perform to best of their abilities
Dimitre joins the Paperchase team with a decade of experience in corporate finance. He has successfully guided clients to secure over $115 million in debt & equity funding within the hospitality sector. As a former Senior Associate at Triple Enterprises (now Paperchase), Dimitre led the corporate finance division, focusing on financial advisory, M&A and fundraising for restaurant groups. He managed deal origination, due diligence, and valuation.
At Triple Enterprises, he worked with notable brands such as Stonefire Grill, Novikov [Franchisee], Casa Cruz, Dog Haus, Pouring with Heart, Seaspice, Pitfire Pizza, Superba, and American Beauty. He also founded DK Financial Consulting, a firm that offered strategic finance, underwriting and fundraising advisory to restaurant groups, real estate private equity, and startups. He also served as a finance manager at Falcon Water Technologies, a water tech company, where he handled corporate development and M&A activities. Dimitre started his career as an equity research analyst at Taylor Frigon Capital Management.
He holds a finance degree with honors and an economics minor from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he was recruited on a tennis D1 scholarship. He has also passed CFA Level II. He enjoys traveling, reading and playing chess in his spare time.
Paperchase Property Services is spearheaded by a self-confessed restaurant addict, Nishan Bhaker has a passion for hospitality as a consumer as well as being an experienced property professional. So when he is not hunting down the best restaurant sites for clients, he immerses himself in the restaurant scene in London, the Middle East and New York hunting down the best places to eat, or to be seen in.
Nishan prides himself on his approachability and giving honest advice to clients - rather than urging them to take a property that might not be ideal. More interested in longevity when it comes to business relationships and having his finger on the pulse of London and the worlds restaurant scene means Nishan often finds himself persuading clients to consider areas they might not have previously looked at — to the client’s benefit, thinking outside the box always. Trying to open the client’s eyes to new and emerging areas where the city has a real buzz.
With over 7 years at Paperchase UK, Vishal thrives on tackling challenges for high-end hospitality clients. He's a client champion, translating needs into financial success, and a tech-savvy leader streamlining processes for efficiency. A master communicator and motivating force, he builds trust with investors, owners, and teams, driving operational excellence with his collaborative spirit and dedication to continuous learning. He's the engine behind Paperchase UK's hospitality client success.
As the Brand Development Director, Caroline is committed to developing quality client and partner relationships and strengthening Paperchase’s reputation globally through education and content. As a natural-born hospitality fanatic, at an early age, Caroline could be found pouring through Zagat guides like they were picture books. She’s successfully parlayed this passion into a successful career in client relations for luxury hospitality companies. She has worked with VIP clients at top hotels and restaurants like Faena Hotel in Miami and Le Bernardin and honed her relationship management skills by overseeing private membership communities and restaurants. When she’s not meeting with clients or collaborating with the Paperchase team to develop new initiatives, you can find her paddleboarding to the nearest spit of land or making a pot of slow-roasted ragu.
Hotelier by education and foodie by choice. Manit educated himself in hospitality from the Oberoi Group of Hotels and Resorts and then moved to specialise in Food & Beverage with the ITC Hotel group in India.
Post this he managed different food & beverage operations in hotels before moving to Dubai in 2014 to pursue his MBA in Marketing and HR. While doing his MBA, Manit joined Zomato in Dubai as a sales manager and worked with them for almost 7 years.
During this time, he was part of the launch team of various products including Zomato Online Ordering which grew to become one of the biggest food delivery platforms in the UAE. Over his time, he helped build various sales and account management teams and mentored new team members.
At Paperchase, Manit is the Business Development Head for the UAE market and is focused on growing the brand and adding more clients to the existing portfolio.
With an academic, professional, and family background in hospitality it feels like Marc was destined to join Paperchase as our Business Development Manager. After gaining his BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality Management, Marc chose not to follow his father and grandfather into the kitchen, and instead opted to pursue front-of-house roles in his hospitality career. This led him to gain customer-facing experience in establishments such as the London Mandarin Oriental, the Michelin stared ‘The Foliage’ and the Savoy before joining Paperchase where he is responsible for developing new client relationships.
With a career spanning two decades in hospitality management, operations and consultancy, Willow has joined the global team at Paperchase to develop our client success journey. She plays a central role in understanding our clients’ needs and enhancing their experiences; strengthening our relationships and delivering a service which supports our client partnerships. Hailing from Western Canada, Willow moved to the UK over 30 years ago and loves nothing more than spending quality time with her family, going on excursions and appreciating all of life’s experiences – if this includes a fantastic glass of red wine and a wonderful meal than all the better.
Over 20 years of hospitality experience at the highest level in hospitality in Europe, US, Asia and Africa. Extensive experience on all areas of hospitality, from creating concepts for multi-site venues, overseeing food and drinks direction for new openings, P&L responsibilities, budgeting for different concepts, developing and implementing marketing strategies and SOP’s for the group to ensure consistency throughout all phases of operation.
Philip Gay since 2010 has founded and run Triple Enterprises which is focused in multi-unit operations, featuring the restaurant industry. Principal focus is in financial infrastructure (back office), operations, consulting and advisory work, Triple Enterprises have a proven track record of operating, buying, selling and financing high quality companies. The Firm’s network incorporates more than 30 years in financial services and corporate growth initiatives, having built countless relationships with investors and executives.
He also has sat on the board of Motorcarparts of America, currently a $1/2B revenue company (Nasdaq symbol “MPAA”) since 2005, serving as general board and audit chair.
With over a decade of experience in finance and international firms like Nomura and EY, Ruchika Mundhra leverages her expertise to drive operational excellence as Director of US Operations at Paperchase. A master of streamlining processes and maximizing profits, she empowers restaurants with insightful analytics, audit readiness, and a keen understanding of their unique financial landscape. Passionate about building relationships, Ruchika translates complex data into actionable insights, making her a trusted advisor and the engine behind Paperchase's success.
I am a customer-focused restaurant consultant with 30 years’ experience in highly competitive London and international markets. Translating creative concepts into viable business propositions, I deliver end-to-end project management, fundraising strategy and value-based solutions that enable restaurateurs to flourish.
Influential at both board level and delivering hands-on operational support, I have an instinctive understanding of restaurants and how to build a compelling retail offer. Having been in the restaurant business all my working life, as an owner, start-up entrepreneur and board advisor, I feel privileged to help fledgling restaurateurs overcome specific challenges, achieve investment funding, guide strategy and share knowledge as a matter expert.
Armed with a Chartered Accountancy and an MBA in Finance, Purvi is a dynamic finance and accounts leader with 20 years of experience. When she’s not crunching numbers, Purvi is either a devoted mother of two or getting lost in the woods, finding solace through hiking or swimming. Her passion for adventure has taken her to a dozen countries, and she recently made history as the first woman Chartered Accountant in India to complete the Ironman challenge.
Now, as part of the global team at Paperchase, she brings her expertise to drive financial excellence and strategic decision-making. With her sharp financial acumen and proven track record, she ensures the company’s financial stability and growth. Purvi’s passion for delivering exceptional experiences an unwavering commitment to excellence, aligns perfectly with the hospitality sector’s customer-centric focus.
Shalabh Jain brings extensive and diverse experience spanning 36 years, primarily focused on global team leadership, strategic planning and execution, operations and quality management. With a background as a seasoned global leader in Business Process Management for top-tier global firms, Shalabh has successfully led teams across the UK, USA, and Asia Pacific, delivering complex business outcomes and driving transformation. His experience portrays both internal and external leadership, proficiently managing high-performing teams and consistently delivering results to all stakeholders, including Customers, Investors, Employees, and Partners.
Shalabh possesses a profound understanding of our business, market dynamics, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. His strategic acumen, collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence position him as the ideal candidate to navigate our next phase of evolution.
Nish Patel is the global CEO of Paperchase Accountancy, a leading outsourced accounting solutions provider that specializes in serving the hospitality industry. The company, founded in London over 30 years ago, now boasts offices in London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Dubai, and works with clients across the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Far East. Local account handlers are supported by a robust back-office operation in the founders’ hometown of Ahmedabad, India.
Nish received his Bachelor of Commerce from Gujarat University, then moved to the UK to pursue his master’s degree at the London School of Accountancy & Management, graduating in 2006. For the last 15 years he has worked in various FP&A roles for restaurant groups, eventually being dispatched in 2010 to open US operations for Paperchase, and then ascending to the role of global CEO in 2022.
Director and founder of Paperchase Accountancy, Aku previously pursued a career at Deloitte, before following his passion for hospitality and establishing Paperchase with his brothers in the late 80’s, which is now the UKs leading hospitality accountancy.
His fascination for how restaurants work stems from his childhood experiences, whilst helping to run his parents’ restaurant in Kenya with his brothers, an interest that hasn’t escaped him after 30+ years. Aku regularly shares his expertise and experience to help restaurateurs achieve success, having worked with leading brands, such as Zuma, The Fat Duck, The Ledbury and COYA since their inception. Continuing to support hospitality brands across the globe in the UK, USA, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Aku is enthusiastic about seeing hospitality businesses flourish and remains committed to helping them successfully adapt to the fast-paced environment and competition within the industry.