In conversation with: Simon Wright of TGP International
identity interviews the Chairman and Founder of TGP International on the beginnings of the business and how the company shapes human experiences and memories in the hospitality industry.
In this interview, Wright talks about his early days, right from the moment he fell in love with the hospitality business at a young age to curating 360 degree experiences across the world across global markets. With more than 44 years of experience, Wright’s earlier career included senior roles with Conran Restaurants and Ian Schrager Hotels, where he managed Mezzo—then London’s largest restaurant—and contributed to the launch of the Great Eastern Hotel, a landmark multi-outlet property.
We also discuss TGP’s community-driven venues, from one of its earliest UAE projects, Reform Social & Grill, to Seed & Bloom, the much-loved community café in Abu Dhabi. Both illustrate how hospitality brands resonate most when conceived holistically, with concept, brand strategy, interiors and operational service shaped together to create places people genuinely connect with.
Watch the interview below:
The Latest
Jason Burnside, Managing Director of GAJ
Jason Burnside, Managing Director, Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ)
Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal at Aedas
Meet Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal, Aedas
LEMA ushers in a new design era
LEMA's brand identity evolves with the creative direction of A++ Group
Celebrating the id50
identity celebrated the id50 with IF HUB at their showroom
The Sun’s Grace by Alia Zaghloul
id most wanted for July/August 2026
identity Design Awards 2026 launches
identity is excited to announce its 12th annual identity Design Awards 2026
Crafting Cohesion
Poliform Blends Seamlessly with this Branded Residence
Things to Covet – July/August 2026
Bold, tactile pieces with raw material honesty
Everyday Moments, Elevated
The Cut arrives at IF HUB, offering a new perspective on kitchen design through its focus on materiality, craftsmanship and sensory experiences
Sustainability at its Heart – King Fahad Sports City Stadium
Opened in 1987, the King Fahad Sports City Stadium in Riyadh is undergoing a major renovation designed by Populous to transform it into a state-of-the-art venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup
Tactile Modernism
This cliffside West Coast residence is a thoughtfully layered response to a practical, mid-century-inspired architectural framework, shaped to reflect the lives and values of the people who call it home
Contemporary Luxury
West One transforms a villa in Jumeirah Golf Estates that maximises its view of the sunset