Meet The Team 2024

MEET THE TEAM

EATX is a hospitality group that is driven to create concepts of the future with climate, culture and community at the core. Determined to become the UAE’s leading restaurateurs and one of the few homegrown hospitality companies
to launch internationally, EATX’s mission is to empower young talent and inspire the future of culinary entrepreneurship.

THOMAS ARNEL

FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

From Australia, Tom was originally a classically trained chef who worked at top restaurants in Melbourne and Singapore, before moving to San Sebastian, Spain to work at Arzak, the 3 Michelin star, at the time the 7th best restaurant in the world. With bigger entrepreneurial aspirations of his own, in early 2010, he decided to branch out on his own and open Tom&Serg, his first Dubai café in November 2013.

Thereafter, Tom and his EATX team set out to feed the community, they opened a collection of popular cafes with integration into baking and coffee roasting; The Sum Of Us, Encounter Coffee Roasters, Rise&Dawn Bakery, Common Grounds. More recently the group added The Byron Bathers Club – a beach club on The Palm, and the popular supper club-turned-restaurant; Hawkerboi and Franky’s Pizzeria at The Park – the entire EATX group is now 22 venues strong with 11 brands spanning multiple cuisines. Tom’s role is now on creative direction and company growth.

NICK COMATY

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Nick brings a dynamic approach to successful business execution in the hospitality sector, leaving a string of F&B success in his wake. With an impressive history in some of Dubai’s most iconic destinations including Four Seasons, NAMMOS, Sky 2.0, SLS Dubai and most recently as Vice President of Operations and Developments for Ennismore in the MEA Nick is now COO of EATX overseeing the business.

With his enviable black-book and 20 years of global experience in countries including the USA, Canada, Lebanon, Switzerland and the Middle East Nick’s experience drives performance and brand growth across all departments.

NICK COMATY

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

JOSH CRADDOCK

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Josh is a strategic and creative marketing leader working in luxury hotels, restaurants and bars with experience across three continents. Prior to moving to the Middle East; Josh oversaw marketing teams across 5 luxury hotels in the USA, Ireland and UK.

He has won numerous awards including a prestigious Acorn 30 under 30 award from Caterer UK and Restaurant & Bar Innovator Award before continuing his success in Dubai – winning Hotelier Middle East Marketing Person Of The Year 2022 while working at Ennismore. Since joining EATX; Josh has spearheaded the launches of Hawkerboi, Common Grounds Kite Beach, The Guild and Franky’s Pizzeria and oversees marketing across all the 22 sites.

JOSH CRADDOCK

MARKETING DIRECTOR

MICHAEL TOWNS

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Michael started his career in numerous front of house positions at one of the world’s most revered hotels; the multi-award winning Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland. Michael went on to gain a wealth of international hospitality experience in Dubai having launched The Arts Club and overseeing GM of Carna restaurant at the SLS Hotel.

Michael was then promoted to a group role within Ennismore’s F&B division; to drive F&B strategy. Now levelling up as Operations Director across EATX licensed brands including The Guild, Hawkerboi, Franky’s Pizzeria and The Byron Bathers Club.