Des Gunewardena

Des began his career in finance before meeting Sir Terence Conran in 1991. Together, they transformed Conran Holdings into a global restaurant, retail, hotel and design business with annual revenues of around £150 million. In 2006, Des led the private equity-backed buyout of Conran Restaurants, creating D&D London. Under his leadership, the company became one of the UK’s leading luxury restaurant groups, launching some of Britain’s most iconic dining destinations, including German Gymnasium, 14 Hills and 20 Stories. The business expanded across the UK and internationally, opening Queensyard in New York, and also developed the luxury boutique South Place Hotel in the City of London.

After 16 years at the helm of D&D London, Des launched his latest venture, D3 Collective, in 2023. The business brings together a portfolio of independent restaurants in partnership with investors, chefs and restaurateurs, creating distinctive hospitality concepts with entrepreneurial flair. Throughout his career, Des has received numerous industry accolades, including the UK Group Restaurateur of the Year award in 2020. He has been recognised as one of the Evening Standard’s Top 1,000 Most Influential Londoners on multiple occasions and was shortlisted for EY’s London Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018. He has also served as a non-executive director of London First and Fulham Shore Plc.