SEAGRASS OPERATIONS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of IT
- Member of the Key Management Team
Job Titles:
- Procurement Manager - Build
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
Bradley Michael is an ambitious, people-centric leader that makes real connections with his staff, his guests and anyone he does business with.
Known for his empathy and impassioned, hands-on style, Bradley has a proven track record for delivering exceptional results under virtually any condition in the restaurant industry worldwide. His skills honed from humble beginnings while cutting his teeth in the hospitality industry, he considers his success a realization of his childhood dream.
Bradley's leadership has fostered a sustainable culture where his people care about one another, working harmoniously together to materialize his leadership's vision and goals.
In 1982, Michael was conscripted by the South African Defense force and became a Personal Training Instructor (PTI) where his tenacious approach to life and discipline was refined.
Following from PTI, in 1984, he opened a hospital canteen, marking the beginning of many restaurant openings including the purchase of the Black Steer brand in 1990, which he grew from 2 stores to 156 stores world wide covering South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Egypt, Australia, Israel, Dubai, London in 48 months.
Michael listed his company on the Johannesburg Stock exchange in addition to securing the rights to the Planet Hollywood brand for South Africa.
With an extensive 36 year + history engaged in high profile and successful restaurant brands in South Africa, Michael decided to relocate to Australia in 2003, bringing with him his passion, vision and The Meat & Wine Co. From Sydney he expanded The Meat & Wine Co brand to Dubai, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, London, Melbourne and Beijing.
In 2011, he founded Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group starting with a support team of 3 that's now over 2000 and growing as the business grows. Michael wants to be the most sought after hospitality group to work for in Australia, the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates.
Committed to developing and opening bespoke restaurant brands locally and globally, his creation of 6 new brands and over 60 new stores across Australia, United Arab Emirates, London, South Africa.
Michael excels in developing a great ‘people first' company culture and partnering with passionate and motivated people. He has created clear, well-positioned customer focused brand concepts and is maniacal about matching it with above and beyond food & personal customer service.
His firm belief is that leaders who succeed have the ability to understand the human mind, putting the ‘right people in the right position' to delegate and to use their skills to empower and develop others. This belief demonstrates his fearless nature in growing his company and creating iconic brands & infrastructure with no set ceiling. He inspires his people by providing growth opportunities to sustain motivation for all to be their most productive.
Brent Solomon - Chief Commercial Officer
Brent Solomon is the Chief Commercial & Development Officer. Known in the company as ‘the operations guru', he is responsible for the company operations, the management of business functions and relationships, and the opening of new restaurants.
Through deep knowledge gained from over twenty years as an operator in the food industry, he motivates employees to aim higher and work smarter, using foreseeable boundaries as stepping stones to greater success. Brent's operational performance has earned multiple awards such as "Operator of the Year" and "Franchisee of the Year" from notable companies such as Black Steer Steakhouse, Bulldog's Pub, Muffin Break, Pizza Bella and Alitalia Cafe.
He cites his long time with the company as a personal journey of fulfilment and growth, allowing him to evolve from a single man operator to the director of multiple brands, restaurants and teams of talented people.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Key Management Team
- Brand Manager / Ribs & Burgers
David Ovens is our CMO with over 30 years experience in the marketing field including international experience in large multi-unit corporate retail food and beverage franchised businesses in Australia and the USA. David's experience spans all aspects of marketing including brand concept development, market positioning and differentiation through developing marketing strategies and tactics that build brand relevance and grow sales through a ‘more customers, more often' framework.
David is committed to the development of the Seagrass marketing team and it's capability; and building productive relationships across departments, especially with Operations partners as we work collaboratively to grow sales and profits.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Key Management Team
- State Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Brand Manager / Hunter & Barrel
- Brand Operations Manager / Hunter & Barrel
Kelly Marshall is our CPO, with over a decade of experience within Human Resources, specialising in Hospitality. Kelly and her team lead, develop and implement strategies, plans, standards and actions designed to build organisation & people capability, to grow sales and profit.
Kelly has established the foundation for a highly effective HR department focused on strategies that nurture the company culture, ensure company compliance and build strong teams by recruiting the right individuals; and developing existing employees with structured training and rewarding career pathways.
Kelly has facilitated the Seagrass ethos of delivering excellence through our people, driving the company's commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Key Management Team
- State Operations Manager
Ravi is a forward-thinking Senior Executive Leader/General Manager with almost 2 decades of management experience, including 8 years in a CEO position with a listed multi-brand retailer. Ravi has a strong track record of building market-leading brands and driving growth and revenue within diverse, geographically dispersed businesses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Key Management Team
- State Operations Manager / VIC & SA
Job Titles:
- Member of the Key Management Team
- Brand Manager / the Meat & Wine Co