Simon Khayat is a distinguished Hospitality professional known for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to operational excellence in integrated hospitality. Currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Integrated Hospitality Officer at CATRION in Saudi Arabia. He leverages more than two decades of industry expertise to drive growth, innovation, and high-quality service delivery across a diverse portfolio including industrial catering, healthcare catering, airport lounges, B&I and oil and gas sectors.
Graduating from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in International Business and Economics, and further enhancing his managerial acumen with an MBA from the University of Wales, Simon has built a multifaceted career rooted in culinary excellence and strategic business development. His early professional years were shaped in the competitive hotel F&B scene in Los Angeles, specializing in fine dining and catering operations, which laid the foundation for his comprehensive understanding of large-scale food service management.
Simon’s leadership journey displays a remarkable track record in managing expansive catering operations throughout the GCC region. As General Manager of Sodexo in Kuwait, he led a workforce exceeding two thousand professionals and a fleet of over one hundred fifty vehicles across eight production units, fostering operational efficiency and client satisfaction. Under his stewardship, aching significant revenue growth, expanded service offerings, and successfully launching multiple new divisions including Le Gourmet Banqueting & VIP Catering, TAG Facility Management, and OnTheGo Retail Service, showcasing his aptitude for business expansion and diversification.
Prior to CATRION, Simon held critical roles including Vice President of Operations-Catering at DAMAC and General Manager positions across Levant and Kuwait markets, where he was responsible for contract negotiations, compliance, team leadership, and establishing new market entries. His robust capabilities in managing complex supply chains, optimizing budgets, and ensuring stringent health, safety, and environmental standards have been instrumental in sustaining business growth and operational resilience, especially within demanding sectors such as oil and gas.
Simon is recognized for his excellence in contract negotiation, client relationship management, and cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion, leading multidisciplinary teams toward high performance and sustainable success. His strategic mindset not only positions CATRION for continued market leadership but also contributes to elevating hospitality standards aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by emphasizing quality, innovation, and local talent development.
The Arab Leaders proudly celebrate Simon Khayat for his transformative leadership and impactful contributions to regional hospitality and catering industries. His passion for culinary innovation, operational mastery, and strategic growth continues to inspire excellence and elevate industry benchmarks across the Middle East.
