Responsibilities
Paul Thomas has joined Cushman & Wakefield Hospitality, EMEA as Associate Director, based in our London office. Paul specialises in mixed-use development schemes containing commercial leisure.
Recent Successes
Paul has conducted a range of assignments in the UK and overseas during his career. These include working on behalf of both private sector and public sector clients. A selection of his more relevant projects includes:
· Assisting a number of international casino operators to develop their entry plans into the UK’s deregulated casino market. This has included market and financial analysis, competitor reviews and bid support to the Casino Advisory Panel;
· Working with the Mayoral Commission in London to assess the viability and potential economic impact of the proposed International Convention Centre to be located in central London;
· Assessing the market potential for a new time share and golf resort development in Scotland;
· Completing the commercial due diligence for the acquisition of Holmes Place health clubs chain on behalf of Permira private equity house;
· Reviewing the market potential for championship golf course development in Cuba on behalf of Braemar Golf Development;
· Undertaking a market and financial feasibility study for a range of boutique hotel developments and leisure attractions in Stone Town, Zanzibar;
· Leading on the commercial due diligence for the acquisition of Top Golf (a unique driving range operation) on behalf of a leading private equity house;
· Undertaking a market feasibility study for the London Eye, now one of London’s most successful and recognised visitor attractions;
· Undertaking a market assessment of several commercial entertainment arena developments including the O2 in London, the proposed SECC Arena, Bristol Arena and a proposed arena in Peterborough;
· Completion of the valuation of several hotels within the Middle East, including properties in Sharjah and Saudi Arabia;
· Working on behalf of Clermont Leisure to provide expert evidence on the conversion of a Central London hotel into a super-luxury casino and suite hotel;
· Completing the 2004 and 2007 Business Plan for the Olympic Aquatics Centre to be located at East Stratford;
Key Clients
· Messila House Limited
· Hill International
· Clermont Leisure Limited
Memberships And Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Degree in Recreation Management
General
Paul has over 10 years experience within the hospitality and commercial leisure sectors. He started his career working for a specialist visitor attraction/theme park consultancy practice – Economic Research Associated (ERA) in their European head office and was seconded to their US head office in Los Angeles. After leaving ERA, Paul joined KPMG’s Leisure and Tourism Consulting Practice where he worked with a range of clients within the public and private sectors.
Paul has extensive experience of working in the UK Europe, the Middle East and Africa on a range of assignments. Particular areas of expertise include:
Market and financial feasibility studies;
Reviews and preparation of business plans;
Commercial site assessments;
Commercial due diligence;
Strategy development;
Implementation planning.
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