The Team
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Graeme Dick - Director
Graeme holds a degree in Hospitality Management. He is a Hospitality Management professional with experience in multi-venue operations management; new concept creation; and new venue openings and refurbishments. All this within some of the key hospitality industry operators – Lion Breweries, Little Creatures Brewing, Accor hotels, Mirvac, and SKYCITY Casino.
As a professional with over 20 years of experience, Graeme has proven success in achieving operational excellence by delivering high- quality offerings and services across multiple venues. His strong leadership focus with demonstrated experience has seen Graeme mentoring and developing large teams across Australia and in New Zealand.
From leading hospitality venues, to leading growth strategy for Lion Breweries Pty Ltd, to more recently, the role of Development Manager of Hospitality at Hesperia / FJM Property group; over the course of his career, Graeme has been the leader of a large array of venues from standalone coffee shops, night clubs, cocktail bars, brewery’s, hotels and large functions and events.
Graeme is very passionate about using his experience to help operators improve day to day or to develop a ground up sustainable hospitality experience.
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Miles Hull - Director
Miles is a hospitality professional with a depth of hospitality, brand, marketing and operational expertise.
Graduating from Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland, Miles has worked internationally in hospitality operations in Switzerland, Canada and the UK and has extensive experience in operating hospitality premises of the highest standards.
Alongside Social Grounds Hospitality, Miles is currently Director of Dark Horse Hospitality a hospitality group he founded in 2018, owners and operators of past and present venues such as Subiaco Continental, Jetty Bar & Eats, Southcamp, Quarter Acre Hotel and Ruinbar.
In previous roles, Miles was the creative visionary and co-founder of Alex Hotel and Shadow Wine Bar in Northbridge. The 74 room hotel broke new ground for boutique accommodation in Australia and has been highly acclaimed and awarded since its opening in 2015.
Miles was also the founding General Manager of Little Creatures Brewing in Fremantle in 2000, progressing to become their Head of Creative Development through to 2012, responsible for the brand’s growth and expansion of hospitality and brand activities nationwide.
In 2022 AHA WA awarded Miles their “Legend Of Hospitality” Award for his service to the industry.
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Patrick Ryan - Lead Consultant
An industry professional with over three decades of experience, Patrick began his hospitality journey as a chef before transitioning to front-of-house leadership and business ownership.
This combination of culinary expertise, service leadership, and commercial insight has given him a deep understanding of how each facet of hospitality operates and more importantly, how to make them work seamlessly together to build successful, enduring businesses.
Based predominantly in Perth, Patrick is deeply connected to the local market, with strong professional relationships spanning hospitality and a variety of other industries. His career includes senior management roles at some of Perth’s most respected venues, including Il Lido, the Brisbane Hotel, and Balthazar. In 2012, Patrick opened Lalla Rookh, where he has served as an Owner/General Manager since its inception, overseeing everything from concept and design to food, beverage, and service execution.
Patrick’s breadth of experience spans both high-spend, low-volume establishments and more casual, high-turnover venues, giving him a well-rounded appreciation for the operational demands and strategic nuances of different hospitality models. He brings a strong working knowledge of food & beverage menu development, kitchen operations and business requirements and a long-standing reputation for delivering outstanding service, atmosphere, and team culture. He has played a key role in opening several venues, both professionally and informally, offering guidance and mentorship based on decades of hands-on experience.
A natural leader and mentor, Patrick has a proven track record of developing high performing staff. Many Lalla Rookh alumni have gone on to lead successful venues of their own or take senior roles nationally and internationally; a testament to the culture of excellence and growth that Patrick fosters.
In addition to his role at Social Grounds, Patrick maintains his position at Lalla Rookh ensuring his ongoing involvement with current industry trends and challenges.
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Daniel Goodsell - Experience Lead
Daniel Goodsell is a dynamic and passionate hospitality professional with over 30 years’ experience. He has both owned and/or operated some of the most renowned venues in Perth, including Balthazar, Duendé, Il Lido Italian Canteen, Gordon Street Garage, Billie H. and Ode to Sirens & The Corner Room within the P&O Hotel, Fremantle. He has successfully opened seven venues, from concept development, stakeholder engagement to project management to deliver thriving and engaging businesses.
Daniel has extensive experience in multivenue operations, working closely with management including chefs, venue managers and staff to support menu development, wine programs, service delivery and general operations which align to the strategic objectives and value proposition of each venue.
His detailed knowledge of International and Australian wines lends to the ability to establish and curate cohesive wine and beverage selections. Further supported by delivering wine and service training programs which ensure staff are versed and able to support sales.
Daniel is exceptional at cultivating cohesive and skilled teams, by instilling positive culture through mentorship and dedication to developing future hospitality leaders.
He has a passion for art, music and design which is evident in each venue he has been a part of, he understands that the ambience, such as music, lighting and design intwined with functionality all contribute to creating a lasting and exceptional customer experience.
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Scott Brannigan - Consultant Chef
Scott comes with 30 years of Hospitality and high-level Professional Cooking experience within New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
Coming from a background of Growers and Meat Inspectors, Scott has a full circle understanding on the food industry and both respects and nurtures his network of Suppliers, Farmers and Artisans. For the last 15 years he has built, managed and driven the ‘Common’ brand as an Owner Operator of Makers in Common group, within this group are venues Bread in Common, Coogee Common and three Common woodfired bakeries. All of which have become thriving Fremantle staples and venues in which he is proud to have created.
Scott is highly respected within WA Hospitality and chefs a like, his creative but smart menu design has the ability to inspire regardless of constraints. Scott leads by example and this is proven by his brigade retention as well as on going strong ties with his industry peers.
Under his lead he took Balthazar Restaurant & Bar, Perth into the Gourmet Travellers Top 100 Restaurants in Australia and gained a hat at Bread in Common, Fremantle.
He was awarded 2022 WA Restaurant & Catering ‘Restaurateur of the Year’