About Mark Dickinson

Focus - Intensity - Excellence

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Over 40 years in hospitality, management, and events have flown by, shaping a career dedicated to inspiring greatness in people and organizations.

How do you condense four decades of passion and achievement into a few paragraphs? Let's give it a try.

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My journey began at 14, washing glasses behind a bustling bar and sneaking tastes of everything in sight—back when "common sense" was the only health and safety rule that mattered. Those early days ignited a lifelong love for the industry.

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By my late teens, I'd already climbed literal mountains, fostering a deep sense of self-accountability and responsibility. At 19, that drive landed me my first management role in a four-star hotel, fueling dreams of greater horizons. Soon after, I joined the iconic Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland as one of their youngest managers, where the pursuit of excellence became my mantra.

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Ambition took me global. I ventured from the UK to China, Uganda, and Thailand, opening hotels and restaurants while managing high-profile events for royals, presidents, and celebrities. In the early 1990s, as Director of Food & Beverage Operations at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok, our team claimed the title of World's Number 1 City Resort—not once, but twice in consecutive years. From there, I moved to Japan as Director of Food and Beverage Operations at the prestigious Tokyo American Club, immersing myself in one-of-a-kind luxury.

The travel bug bit hard. I circumnavigated the globe, absorbing diverse cultures, cuisines, and hospitality traditions—a vibrant mosaic of flavors and experiences that enriched my perspective.

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Eventually, I found my calling in the Middle East, where I've spent almost 30 years building innovative systems to empower workplace learning and growth. I've launched everything from casual burger joints to fine-dining establishments, five-star hotels, budget properties, and resorts. My training footprints span Guam (entertainers), Hong Kong (wildlife experts), Cambodia (refined hoteliers), Bangkok (restaurants, pastry shops, and cafes), Kuwait (Arabic eateries), Dubai (international teams, real estate, and finance), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and beyond.

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As Founder and Managing Director of DONE! Hospitality Training Solutions, and Head of Motivate Academy at Motivate Media Group, I've delivered transformative programs to thousands. In the last five years alone, over 7,000 professionals have attended my sessions, with a career total surpassing 50,000 trained individuals. But numbers aside, it's the impact that counts—helping people unlock their potential through coaching, mentoring, and bespoke learning experiences.

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I'm also a sought-after speaker, addressing audiences at events like HORECA Lebanon, corporate boardrooms, and global forums. As an author and podcast host ("The Mark Dickinson Podcast"), I share insights on leadership, mental health in hospitality, talent retention, and more. My one-on-one coaching for CEOs and executives focuses on rapid transformations, building optimism, and sustainable success in high-stakes environments.

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Through it all, my mission remains: to share the lessons from a lifetime of growth, helping others achieve excellence without shortcuts. Whether training teams or guiding leaders, I believe in making every moment count—because in hospitality, as in life, it's about creating wonder and delivering 100% happiness, every time.