Elevated Futures - Coaching & Consulting

Lead business development initiatives for international clients, focusing on market entry strategies and cross-border partnerships.
Design and implement customized business strategies that align client objectives with sustainable growth opportunities - small business development.
Executive-level coaching and corporate training on international business strategy and operations.

Founder Lead Consultant & Head Coach

Hochschule Heilbronn - Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Informatik

Full Professor at the Faculty International Business.

Professor - International Business & Tourism Management 

Lauren Ugur CC

Provided consultancy to corporates, government bodies, and international organizations on strategic economic and social development, urban planning, and marketing.
Notable clients include the German Convention Bureau, Royal Caribbean Cruises, KfW Development Bank, UN-Habitat, and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).

Independent Development Consultant and Coach

International School of Management (ISM)

Courses taught (English and German):
- Tourism Management / Event Management
- Tourism Marketing / Event Marketing
- Tourism Markets and Policy
- Pricing and Revenue Management
- Quality Management and CRM
- Business Planning and Financial Management
- Market Research
- Intercultural Management
- Scientific Research / Academic writing

Professor Tourism and Event Management

Technische Universität Darmstadt

Consortium management for the Erasmus Mundus MSc programme "Mundus Urbano" in International Cooperation in Urban Development hosted by the TU Darmstadt in collaboration with three european partner universities. 

Key tasks:
- Consortium contract drafting and management
- Co-author and data collection for Erasmus Mundus renewal grant (approved, ca. €2,5 million)
- Management of the Erasmus Mundus scholarship application process, selection and awards
- EU annual technical and financial reporting 
- Lecturing

Consortium manager - Erasmus Mundus Master of Science International Cooperation in Urban Development

Entitled "Beyond the Pilot Project, towards broad-based integrated violence prevention in South Africa" 
this research focuses on the institutionalisation of integrated planning approaches for violence prevention and explores the question of transferability so as to conceptualise how successful pilot programmes may be scaled up beyond their initial sites of implementation.

Doctoral Researcher

I have been involved with the Erasmus Mundus funded International Masters Programme in International Cooperation and Urban Development since 2007, first as a student and from 2009 to 2011 as the programme manager. Overall this position encompassed many aspects related to the day-to-day management and overall strategic development of the programme. 

Main tasks included:
- Application and scholarship award management
- EU financial and technical annual report writing 
- European consortium partner/relationship management
- Strategic development and programme marketing 
- Curriculum planning and organisation of international guest lecturers
- Guest lecturer liaison

Programme manager - Erasmus Mundus Master of Science International Cooperation and Urban Development

I don’t fit neatly into a single box: academic, consultant, strategist.

What I bring is a perspective shaped by deep academic grounding (PhD in Sociology, MBA, MSc in International Cooperation and Urban Development) and over 15 years of experience bridging research, real-world strategy, and business operations.

I don’t teach by the book. I don’t consult from theory. I work at the intersection because today’s most pressing challenges don’t fit into boxes either. They require integrated, multidimensional thinking.

I’ve worked with corporate leaders, government institutions, entrepreneurs, and students to move beyond surface-level success. 

My focus? Making complex ideas actionable and helping people build businesses and careers that actually work, not just look good on paper.

How?

By asking better questions, challenging assumptions, and co-creating strategies that align with your goals, resources, and context. Whether in a boardroom or a classroom, my work is about clarity, alignment, and measurable progress.

As a Professor of International Business, I go beyond textbook theories guiding future leaders to navigate global markets, digital shifts, and social change with confidence and purpose.

In business, my approach is the same: clear, grounded, and forward-thinking. I’ve advised corporates, supported public sector innovation, and helped entrepreneurs define their direction and grow with purpose, without sacrificing profit.

I partner with:
➠ Corporate leaders ready to cut through the noise and lead meaningful innovation.
➠ Entrepreneurs seeking smart, scalable strategies and a business that reflects their values.
➠ Public sector teams needing fresh, actionable approaches to strategy and implementation.
➠ Students and professionals ready to lead with purpose in a complex, global economy.

Challenging the status quo isn’t about being edgy. It’s about designing something better intentionally and with impact. It’s about creating progress through sharper thinking, stronger systems, and more courageous leadership.

Curious about a different way to lead and grow?
Let’s connect. I’d love to hear what you're working on.

Dr. Lauren Uğur, PhD, MBA🧩

Auden Hospitality

We are on a mission to make hotel F&B great again because great hotels need great food & beverage outlets.

This belief resonates throughout every project we undertake. Whether we are implementing transformative opportunities within your restaurant, bar or lounges, providing guidance during a launch, or creating a new strategy or concept, we approach each project with humility and collaboration to craft the very best experience for you, your team and your guests.

Partner with us to bring your vision to life.

Founder & Managing Director

The Burnt Chef Project

Did you know, 4 out of 5 hospitality professionals report having experienced at least one mental health issue during their career?

The Burnt Chef Project is a globally recognised not-for-profit Social Enterprise, fully committed to making the hospitality profession healthier and more sustainable by focussing on people's wellbeing first.

Chief Ambassador

SISBAN

Responsible for the implementation of key business strategy in the Food division of SISBAN with direct responsibility for the central support functions to assist the three UK operating brands over 16 locations and one brand in New York as well as specific projects around successful scaling of the brands, implementing a new operating principle into the management teams and the launch of the SISBAN Leadership Academy.   

Reporting directly to the Group CEO, this role also encompasses the direct management of the Project Management Office across all operating regions.

Chief Operating Officer

A fantastic role leading the Qoot Co. businesses in London and Dubai responsible for the ongoing operation and growth of our key brands across our casual, quick service and delivery kitchen businesses.  

In the role I have been given full responsibility for the business to ensure we not only meet our financial targets to build value in the company and our brands but to also increase our team engagement and integrate our businesses into the community where we operate.

Managing a central team of 12 people, a store workforce of 300 and reporting directly to the board this is a role that never stops evolving or growing.

Vice President Operations

Responsible for the operations in London and supporting the set up of office and operations in Riyadh as the company portfolio grows.  This role is focussed around managing special projects as well as ongoing F&B operations.  

The key highlight of the role was to act on the companies behalf to assess the operations during a company acquisition in Kuwait as well as the onboarding and integration once the agreement had been made implementing key systems into the operation in line with our company operating model.

Senior Operations Director

TGP International 

I was promoted in August 2017 to oversee all operations including special projects including a hotel opening in Montenegro and pop up in Davos for the World Economic Forum.

During my time in the role I was responsible for overseeing the U.A.E managed properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi liaising with site teams and owners as well as brand representation, pre-opening and concept development projects.

UAE Operations Director

Conrad Hotels & Resorts

Conrad London St James, 256 room five star hotel, 1 restaurant, 1 bar, 1 tea lounge, 7 meeting rooms, 1 Executive Lounge

In August 2014, I was a key driver in the conversion to the Conrad London St James, working with the owning company and Conrad Brand team to ensure a successful rebrand in five weeks as well as the IHG team to ensure a smooth transition.

Part of the Pre-Opening team for the InterContinental that opened in November 2012, had a successful opening that cemented the hotel as the hub of the 'Westminster Village' establishing the hotel in the top 30 hotels in London on Trip Advisor and a guest survey satisfaction of 87.7% average over the two years. 

Responsible for the strategy for F&B departments, I established with my team the Blue Boar restaurant which won Diners Choice Award in 2014 by Opentable customers and established Afternoon Tea to deliver avg. 1000 covers per month in 2014.

Hotel Manager

Dorchester Collection

AA 5 star hotel, 70 bedrooms, 2 restaurants; Restaurant Coworth Park (1 Michelin Star, 3 Rosette's), The Barn (1 Rosette), The Drawing Room, Spatisserie, C&B 4 rooms, Outside Events up to 400 people.

Part of the Dorchester Collection, Coworth Park is one of the finest country house hotels in the UK.  Responsible for the running of the F&B operation as well as strategic planning and marketing of the outlets working closely with The Dorchester and 45 Park Lane.

Food & Beverage Manager - Coworth Park

Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa

York's first AA 5 star hotel, 107 rooms including 13 suites, 2 Restaurants, 1 Bar, Whisky Lounge, C&B 7 rooms, Spa

Approached to join the opening team for Cedar Court Hotels, Yorkshire's largest independant hotel group.  Hotel opened 7th May responsible for Food & Beverage, Reception, Concierge, Guest Services, Housekeeping.  Managed operation in absence of General Manager July '10 - Jan '11 reporting directly to Group Operations Director.

Deputy General Manager

De Vere Hotels

I was appointed Deputy General Manager following a re-structure of the Senior Management team that included taking on the responsibility of the rooms division in the hotel in particular housekeeping and Front of House as well as F&B.  My role also involved managing the health & safety requirements in the operation to ensure all departments complied with regulations and the development of my teams.

Deputy General Manager - Oulton Hall Hotel & Spa

AA 5 Star hotel, 152 bedrooms, 2 Restaurants, Drawing Room, 4 Bars, C&B 13 rooms, Spa & 27 hole Golf Course

Progressed through junior and deparmental management roles before being promoted to F&B Manager, part of the Senior Management team. In this role I managed the £7m refurbishment of all the food & beverage outlets as well as the opening of new £5m clubhouse.

Food & Beverage Manager - Oulton Hall Hotel & Spa

In 2015 I threw away a 15-year career... and it was the best thing I ever did!

I left luxury hotels to work in independent restaurants and quickly learnt that restauranteurs think differently than Hoteliers.

While doing so, I worked across 14 countries in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.

With some amazing brands & chefs like Dorchester Collection, InterContinental hotels, Alain Ducasse, Dominique Ansel, Greg Malouf, Frederic Vardon and Asia de Cuba.

It has been an amazing journey.

Opening multiple restaurants (40+ and counting)
Opening hotels (4 in total in two countries)
Remotely managing operations internationally (16 brands and 85 restaurants)
Working with suppliers, investors, clients, owners and teams to create unique experiences.  

By the end of 2021, in my role as the COO of a global investment firm, it dawned on me that the skills honed during my time as a restaurateur could be leveraged to benefit hoteliers. 

It became apparent through recurrent feedback that Food and Beverage posed persistent challenges for hoteliers.

So, in March 2022, I created Auden Hospitality with a mission to help hoteliers think differently about their F&B operations to create outlets their guests will love.

All while doing this with a people-centric approach, working with The Burnt Chef Project as an Ambassador to improve the conditions of the amazing people that work in the industry.

Fast forward two years, we are an award-winning agency building a reputation within the industry, we aren’t normal consultants because we are also operators, we understand the challenges the industry faces because we face them too!

It’s why we can bring real-life knowledge and experience to your operation.


My Interests:

➡️ Auden Hospitality, an advisory agency determined to challenge the expected.
➡️ Keynote speaker sharing ways to think differently about F&B.
➡️ Industry-focused focussed podcast, Hospitality Huddles.
➡️ Newsletter specifically aimed at F&B Leaders, read in 57 countries, F&B Insider.
➡️ Eliminating the stigma around mental health in the hospitality industry.
➡️ Advisor to SaaS products in the hospitality space.


My Highlights:

➡️ Opened 40 restaurants and counting.
➡️ Opened four hotels in two countries.
➡️ Worked in 14 countries across 3 continents.
➡️ Created and opened 8 restaurant brands.
➡️ Managed global operations grossing over $50m annually.


Get in touch:
📝 Send me a message on LinkedIn, and let's connect.
🖥 Visit our website at www.audenhospitality.com

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The Battle

Dr. Lauren Uğur, PhD, MBA🧩

Scot Turner

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