Richard Kingue Kouta
Managing Director - Head of Hospitality
Originally from Montpellier in the south of France, Richard Kingue Kouta came to the United Kingdom in 1997 to pursue a career in the hospitality industry.
After a successful management career in restaurant operations, Richard moved on to hospitality recruitment in 2002 and never looked back. He has over 19 years’ experience helping his clients to realise their goals by working with exceptionally talented hospitality professionals.
Richard has worked across all functions throughout the sector, delivering search assignments to both large international hotel groups and small independent companies in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
Prior to founding Arvantis, Richard was a director at BlackBook, a leading London executive search practice, where he successfully set up and headed their hospitality division. He was also a principal consultant for the PSD Group (formerly known as Portfolio International), a leading international hospitality recruitment organisation, where he led their food and beverage and culinary recruitment for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.
Emillieona Tan
Hospitality Specialist - Head of Research
Emillieona is an expert in hospitality talent search who builds strong relationships with both clients and candidates. She has worldwide experience in HR and recruitment for multiple sectors, including consumer retail, FMCG, high tech and professional services.
She has completed many successful talent search assignments for hospitality and HR professionals in senior and executive roles. Her specialist expertise includes talent management and acquisition, reward, learning and development, diversity and inclusion.
Starting her hospitality career in Singapore and moving on to Switzerland before coming to the UK, she has over 15 years’ experience in food and beverage, pre-opening concepts, and projects in hotels and restaurants.
Before joining executive talent search specialists, Korn Ferry, where she helped to create the HR Centre of Excellence function, Emilleona worked in a number of executive search boutique firms.
She has recently provided HR support and recruited the pre-opening team for Amazonico London, a joint venture with Paraguas and Dogus Dreams.
What our clients say about us
Richard has been collaborating with us for various consultancy projects related to Recruitment delivering great results and superlative professionals within our organization.
I would strongly recommend him for any consultancy related to the HR world.
General Manager at Armani Hotels & Resorts
“Arvantis is highly professional and efficient. Richard understands our style and profile so we can quickly narrow down the requirements. We have a good working relationship, which really saves us time.”
Nicolas Defremont, Dream International
Having worked with Richard for many years in several organisations, I have utilised his expertise in identifying candidates at all levels. Arvantis has been extremely responsive and resourceful in presenting candidates that match the brief and suit our business needs and without fail, each of the candidates is of the highest calibre. I have not met with a candidate through Arvantis that was not on target with our needs.
Avantis has recently sourced several senior management positions to support the growth of Chotto Matte and we have had a 100% success with these people.
I will continue working with Arvantis in the future and I would wholeheartedly recommend the team.
Paul Sarlas - Managing Director – NZR Group (Chotto Matte - Fucina - Blackroe)
Richard's very professional and motivational has been truly remarkable. He was able to excite me, extend perfect information and has been a great partner along the way.
I can highly recommend Richard to any hospitality professional, they'll be in good hands!
General Manager & Vice President Operations at LVMH Hotel Management/Cheval Blanc Randheli
“It was a great pleasure working with Richard, besides the very professional thoughtful approach is the reliability and clear and precise communication he practices. A truly refreshing change to dealing with. A dedicated pro who stands to his values and mission”
Managing Director, Absheron Hotel Group
It’s rare to meet a recruiter who you feel confident that they really understands your CV, professional level and doesn’t see you as a Pound sign.
Richard and I met in a professional location and he spent time really understanding my skillset, the result of which meant we found a new role for me that both matched my skill level and would be suitably challenging.
My new role has seen me make substantial changes to the business I now work for and has substantially enhanced my professional credibility
Peter Boswell Group Learning & Development Manager – NZR Group
Having worked with Richard on a number of key positions I can honestly say that Richard is the most helpful, dedicated and professional recruiter I have ever worked with. Richard always does his best to source the best possible candidates and takes pride to match capabilities with values. Richard takes time to understand my expectations and therefore only puts forward the best candidates.
Richard is very passionate and enthusiastic and he is the most engaging and knowledgeable recruitment partner I have worked with.
John Darling, Operations Director, NZR Group (Chotto Matte, Fucina, Blackroe)
I have known Jerome for the past five years and he has proven to be a very reliable, resourceful and passionate recruiter to work with.
I find him to be extremely professional and trustworthy.