Duncan Muir

Duncan Muir is Senior Director of Food & Beverage at Azadea Group, where he leads a portfolio of leading international F&B brands across nine countries in the MENA region. The portfolio includes Paul, Eataly, Butcher Shop & Grill, New Shanghai, Venchi, Pierre Hermé and KFC, with 192 restaurants across the region and growing.

With more than 25 years of international experience in hospitality and food & beverage, Duncan has held senior leadership positions across the Middle East and beyond, leading multi-market restaurant, café and food retail businesses. Based in Dubai, he previously served as Senior Director of Food & Beverage and Retail at Bateel International, where he oversaw operations across multiple markets for the regionally renowned luxury gourmet and hospitality brand.

Throughout his career, Duncan has focused on building high-performing businesses through operational excellence, brand development and customer-centric innovation. His experience spans F&B strategy, concept development, large-scale operations, franchising, business transformation and talent development, with a particular focus on translating international brand standards into successful regional operations.

Prior to Bateel, Duncan held senior leadership positions with a number of leading hospitality groups, contributing to the growth, development and transformation of premium dining, casual dining and food retail concepts across the GCC.

Duncan holds qualifications in Hotel and Hospitality Management from the University of Strathclyde and Nanyang Technological University. He is passionate about developing future hospitality leaders and contributing to the continued evolution and professionalisation of the F&B sector across the region.