Ashley Saxton swaps Harrods for new luxury hospitality platform

Ashley Saxton, the former director of restaurants at Harrods, has been appointed global F&B chief executive officer at an Abu Dhabi-based luxury hospitality platform.

It comes roughly three months after he announced his departure from the luxury retailer in London’s Knightsbridge, where he worked for seven years.

He has joined DIAFA, a new luxury hospitality platform with ambitions to become the world’s largest F&B business. The group said it has already made several "high-profile acquisitions" worldwide, which are soon to be announced.

Saxton joined Harrods in 2019 and led a major overhaul of its hospitality offer, overseeing around 26 restaurants in the building and revamping its Dining Hall by partnering with big-name chefs including Jason Atherton, Tom Kerridge, Gordon Ramsay, and Masayoshi Takayama, who is now opening a restaurant at the Chancery Rosewood. 

Last month, Harrods announced it was ending its restaurant partnerships with high-profile chefs as it moves to creating more in-house dining options.

Earlier in his 25-year career, Saxton held senior leadership roles across Atlantis, Dubai and Lebua, Bangkok, and has overseen the opening of over 70 restaurants and bars across four continents.

Saxton said: “The opportunity to lead DIAFA from day one is both rare and exciting. I was drawn to the ambition and long-term vision shared by our shareholders. Their commitment to building something enduring and globally significant in the hospitality sector is clear. I believe in thinking boldly, executing with discipline, and creating lasting value. DIAFA will represent all of that and more.”