Who We Are

IRE’s executive team is comprised of a select group of professionals boasting a broad range of experience within the restaurant, hospitality, leisure, and entertainment industries. Most key, the highly experienced consultants at Innovative Recession Economics bring together a unique coupling of operational/strategic expertise and financial planning and management knowledge. 

Having successfully opened and managed more than 250 restaurants, bars, and hotels worldwide, our team includes established experts with a combined 70 years of restaurant, hotel, and leisure experience. From running national restaurant chains to developing nationally known brands, our consultants have proven over and over their ability to tackle every possible challenge in running profitable businesses. 

Now bringing their knowledge and skill sets to Innovative Recession Economics, clients of IRE benefit from our consultants’ ability to uncover hidden expenses and identify cost-saving strategies, thereby helping companies in a range of industries succeed—even thrive—in today’s challenging economic climate.

Robert Ancill – CEO & Managing Partner

Robert was educated in Glasgow, United Kingdom. completing his HCIMA & MBA over the following years while working in the UK & US Restaurant Industries.

His career spans over 22 years in the Restaurant, Retail & Leisure Industries, with a solid background in restaurant/cafe operations, management & finance, concept & brand development, launching new businesses, and managing change.

Robert has managed over 180 restaurant/café openings and the launching of 14 new concepts in the UK, Israel & the US.

Robert sits on the boards of two privately held companies (not including The Next Idea), and provides industry advice to a number of financial institutions regarding future restaurant trends and specific company diagnostics.

Robert’s experience includes:

• The Next Idea - CEO & Managing Partner
• Panera Bread (San Fernando Valley, CA Franchise) - Operating Partner
• Safeway Stores - VP Restaurant Operations (UK)
• House of Fraser - VP Restaurant Operations (UK)
• Planet Hollywood - General Manager (Tel Aviv, Israel)
• Aroma Café Group - VP Restaurant Operations & Development (UK)
• Queen’s Moat House Hotels - General Manager
• Bentleys Of Piccadilly PLC - Restaurant General Manager

Harris Raphael – Managing Partner – Europe

Educated in the UK and the USA, Harris qualified in Law (LLB) from the London School of Economics and gained a masters (MSc) in Comparative Politics, after which he joined Barristers chambers in London.

He subsequently set up his own international consulting practice in business development and finance, having worked with a number of leading consultancy firms and marketing agencies including Saatchi and Saatchi, Leo Burnett and McKinseys. He joined The Next Idea as Managing Partner for Europe in 2004, and oversees all TNI's Europe operations.

Harris’ area of market specialization includes the professional, property, medical, leisure and charity sectors. With over 25 years experience in helping business from start-ups to multi-nationals, Harris always provides significant and innovative advice to help our clients’ businesses succeed.

Maerav Chiprut – Partner & VP Training Services

Maerav’s career spans over 15 years in the Restaurant, Retail & Leisure Industries, with a focus in restaurant/cafe operations and training.

Maerav has managed over 30 restaurant/café openings in the UK, Israel & the US.

Maerav is responsible for all The Next Idea training activities, and has consulted with a range of food service operators; including Virgin Trains, Panera Bread, and Albert Roux Cafes.

Maerav’s experience includes:

• The Next Idea - Partner & VP of Training Services
• Lucy Activewear - Regional Training Director
• Starbucks UK & US - Regional Training Director (UK)
• Bennigan’s Restaurant - General Manager & Regional Training Coordinator
• Planet Hollywood - Assistant General Manager & Head of Training

Lisa Van Gorp

Partner 

Lisa is an accomplished marketing professional with extensive marketing, business development, and product management experience; she is also a trained chef with an HND (UK higher national degree) in hotel management and catering administration. 

Lisa’s experience spans 18 years, including four years as marketing director for Panera Bread’s enormous North Los Angeles territory. From here, she moved into the director of marketing and sales role for El Gallo Giro, helming the marketing function for all 11 of the restaurant’s franchise locations. In 2008, she was invited aboard at TNI. Here she lends her unique ability to devise solutions that are workable, affordable, and that provide benefit-oriented differentiation to clients of The Next Idea and Innovative Recession Economics.
 

• Developing product marketing/management plans
• Creating product launch strategies
• Launching brands in a new market
• Directing brand development
• Analyzing market data and competitive price studies
• Designing advertising and promotional programs
• Conducting strategic analyses of markets/products
• Fostering media relations
• Managing marketing programs
• Planning events and brokering sponsorship deals
• Creating loyalty and retention programs
• Developing dynamic marketing initiatives