Matt Hermer
I build hospitality and lifestyle brands, and help others build theirs. London to Los Angeles, since 1998.
About
I trained in finance, then bought my first bar on a whim. That became Ignite Group, and over the following decade a string of London clubs, bars and restaurants that defined a certain era of the city. I was named Tatler's Restaurateur of the Year in 2008.
Los Angeles came next. A second group of restaurants, a $100 million fund raised with an international credit partner to support distressed food and beverage businesses, advisory work for a large California private equity firm, and Futura Media, which I lead, developing new concepts across the US. The same network, and the same finance background it started from, has more recently opened doors well beyond food and beverage: brand licensing, capital introductions and selective entertainment financing across the wider luxury world.
I'm an active member of YPO, and return to Harvard Business School each year for executive education.
Selected work
London
Los Angeles
At present
Brand & Hospitality
Founding, scaling and occasionally rescuing F&B and hospitality concepts, from members' clubs to restaurant groups, across London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and beyond. Now extending the same approach into fitness and lifestyle brands within the luxury market.
Advisory
Working alongside hotel and restaurant brands on growth, concept and international expansion, drawing on three decades of building the same things myself. Particularly well placed to help UK and European brands enter the US market.
The Team
Three decades of opening venues means three decades of finding the people who open them properly. Architects, lawyers, chefs, brand and marketing, and everything else a concept quietly requires. Engaging me brings a team that has already worked together, rather than one assembled from scratch.
Capital & Special Situations
Introductions and structuring for select opportunities across hospitality, brand and media. By referral, and selectively. Currently looking closely at the film business.
Get in touch
Mostly by introduction. But always glad to hear from good people with good ideas.
matt@mhermer.com