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Jamie Barber

Jamie Barber (born January 1971) is a British , entrepreneur, and investor renowned for founding the upscale restaurant in London's district in 1999 alongside actor Sir and his son . Transitioning from a career in , Barber built a portfolio of brands, including the chain acquired in 2016 (though Haché Burgers largely ceased operations in 2024-2025 amid financial challenges) and the Cabana Brazilian grill co-founded in 2011 (acquired by Cherry Equity Partners in 2025, which now operates three UK sites and one in ), before selling Hush to Soho House in 2023 and co-founding the delivery service My Supper Hero in 2021 with , which entered liquidation in 2025 owing £348,096. In 2025, he became a founding partner at Cherry Equity Partners, an investment firm focused on acquisitions such as parts of the Bistrot Pierre and Gusto restaurant groups. Born in St John’s Wood, north London, Barber attended University College School and earned an LLB from the University of Bristol in 1993, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the University of the West of England. He began his professional career as an entertainment lawyer at Harbottle & Lewis from 1996 to 2000, representing clients in the music and media industries, before pivoting to hospitality amid a passion for the sector that traced back to earlier interests in music and bar ownership. This shift led to the launch of Hush, which became a celebrity hotspot and generated initial investments of £1.5 million, with Barber personally contributing over £1 million. Barber's Hush Collection expanded to employ 235 people by 2022, achieving £14 million in sales that year after navigating the through pivots to delivery services that boosted Haché Burgers' delivery revenue fivefold in 2020 compared to 2019. He also appeared as an investor on the BBC's in 2018 and 2019, supporting emerging restaurant concepts. Beyond core brands like Cabana, Barber has been involved in ventures such as Villandry, Sake no Hana, and Kitchen Italia, often emphasizing location and casual dining innovation amid industry challenges like the "great casual dining crash." His recent move to Cherry Equity Partners has seen the firm acquire seven Gusto locations in July 2025, preserving over 300 jobs, and a substantial portion of Bistrot Pierre in March 2025.

Early life and education

Early life

Jamie Barber was born in January 1971 in , . He is the son of entrepreneur Martin Barber, who floated the property firm Capital & Regional, a major owner of shopping centres, providing young Jamie with early exposure to business principles and deal-making within a family environment shaped by commercial success. He also has a younger sister, Lizzy Barber, who later collaborated with him on projects such as the Brazilian barbecue chain Cabana. Barber spent his childhood in the nearby area of , , where he attended school in , immersing himself in the affluent, culturally rich neighborhoods that would later influence his ventures in hospitality and entertainment. This upbringing, amid London's vibrant social scene and his father's professional network, fostered an early interest in music and , though Barber initially pursued formal studies before entering those fields professionally. Following his early years in , he transitioned to at the .

Education

Barber attended in from 1984 to 1988. In 1988, he earned an Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM) diploma. He pursued at the , enrolling in 1990 and graduating in 1993 with an LLB (Hons) in law. From 1994 to 1995, he completed a in Law at the University of the West of England.

Professional career

Legal training and early career

After completing his law degree at the University of Bristol, Jamie Barber pursued legal training and qualified as a solicitor, specializing in entertainment law. He joined the London-based media law firm Harbottle & Lewis in 1996, where he worked as an entertainment lawyer representing high-profile clients in the show business industry. During his twenties, Barber balanced a demanding day job in with nighttime pursuits in , maintaining a dual career that honed his multitasking abilities and industry connections. At Harbottle & Lewis, he handled contracts and negotiations for prominent figures, including actor Sir , which fostered valuable networking skills in the sector. These experiences in managing client relationships and deal-making provided a for his later transition into , emphasizing the importance of interpersonal acumen in business ventures. Barber departed from Harbottle & Lewis in 2000 at the age of 29, marking the end of his legal career as he shifted focus toward entrepreneurial opportunities influenced by his legal and musical networks.

Restaurant ventures

In 1999, Jamie Barber transitioned from his career in entertainment law to become a full-time restaurateur by co-founding Hush, a brasserie in London's Mayfair district, in partnership with Geoffrey Moore, son of the late actor Sir Roger Moore, who served as an initial shareholder alongside his father. The venue, located in a historic townhouse on Lancashire Court, quickly established itself as a celebrity-favored spot known for its glamorous basement bar and modern European cuisine, drawing on Barber's legal networking to attract high-profile clientele from the outset. Over the following years, Barber expanded the Hush brand with additional brasseries in Holborn and Marylebone, maintaining a focus on sophisticated dining experiences, before selling the business to Soho House in 2023. Building on Hush's success, Barber acquired the Haché Burgers chain, founded in 2004, in 2016, starting with its established location in , , as a gourmet burger concept emphasizing high-quality, handcrafted patties and casual vibes. The chain grew to multiple sites across , including outposts in , , and Kingston, offering inventive toppings and sides while prioritizing fresh, ethically sourced ingredients to differentiate from fast-food competitors. In parallel, Barber co-founded Cabana in 2011 with longtime collaborator Ponté, introducing authentic Brazilian barbecue to the market through its inaugural restaurant in London's . Cabana's concept centered on churrasco-style grilled meats, stews, and tropical sides like , with subsequent expansions to sites in Westfield shopping centers and beyond, celebrating Brazil's vibrant culture. Barber also took on co-ownership of several other establishments, including acquiring Villandry, a French-inspired and , in 2005 with locations in central London's and Bicester Village, blending deli provisions, bakery items, and casual dining, before selling it in 2011. He co-owned Sake No Hana, a high-end Japanese restaurant in that opened in 2008, featuring menus, , and an izakaya-style basement bar to showcase refined influences, before selling it to in 2011. Additionally, Barber launched Kitchen Italia as an Italian casual dining brand in 2010, with its flagship in London's St Giles emphasizing handmade pastas, pizzas, and regional antipasti in a relaxed, all-day setting. These ventures underscored Barber's strategy of diversifying across cuisines while prioritizing quality and accessibility in prime London locations.

Business investments and collaborations

In 2015, Jamie Barber joined a of eight prominent restaurateurs, known as the "," to provide £5 million in funding and equity investment to Red's True Barbecue, a Leeds-based smokehouse chain, enabling its expansion into new markets including its site in . This backing supported the opening of additional sites and accelerated the brand's growth across the . Building on the success of his earlier ventures, Barber co-founded My Supper Hero in July 2021 alongside singer and broadcaster , launching a subscription-based service that delivered restaurant-quality ingredients, pre-prepped components, and step-by-step recipes for home cooking. The platform aimed to simplify meal preparation, with initial offerings including dishes from Barber's restaurant influences, and it became publicly available in October 2021. However, the company entered voluntary in October 2025, leaving debts of approximately £348,096 amid challenging market conditions for delivery services. Barber has also taken on advisory roles in emerging brands, serving on the board of Zing Zing, a London-based startup focused on premium, delivery-oriented cuisine, where he contributed to its early funding and operational strategy starting around 2016. In 2025, Barber co-led Cherry Equity Partners, an investment firm backed by an international , in acquiring a substantial portion of the Bistrot Pierre restaurant group in March 2025 and seven underperforming sites from the Gusto chain through a pre-pack administration deal in July 2025, preserving over 300 jobs and enabling the venues' restructuring and continued operation. This move highlighted his focus on stabilizing assets during economic pressures.

Musical career

Jazz piano performances

Jamie Barber developed his interest in jazz piano later in his career, pursuing it as a dedicated while his roles as an entertainment lawyer and . In his twenties, primarily focused on legal training and early music explorations in trip-hop during , Barber transitioned toward , attending weekly lessons at the London Jazz Piano School to refine his skills. These sessions emphasize , allowing him to professional commitments with personal musical growth. He earned an Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM) qualification in 1988. Described as an acclaimed jazz pianist, Barber maintains ongoing personal practice, dedicating time to the instrument despite his demanding schedule. His style centers on improvisational , influenced by the structured yet expressive nature of the genre, though he has not publicly detailed specific inspirations beyond his formal training. While specific solo performances in venues remain undocumented in available sources, Barber's consistent engagement with underscores its role in his creative life outside collaborative projects.

Primitiva band involvement

During his time at university in , Jamie Barber formed a trip-hop band that was signed to 's Aegean record label and recorded for 18 months in . From 1997 to 1999, while working as a , he played keyboards on an album project with at the singer's studio and orchestrated a 24-piece session involving . The project was halted following Michael's arrest.

Personal life

Family

Jamie Barber has been married to Clare Barber since the early 2000s. The couple lives in , , along with their two daughters and two dogs. Their daughters were reported to be aged 5 and 3 in 2010, placing their births in the mid-2000s; by 2022, the daughters had become teenagers. Barber's provides a stable foundation amid his demanding pursuits in the industry and , though specific details on their involvement remain private.

Interests and residence

Jamie Barber resides in , , where he owns a mid-19th-century house located just a few streets from his childhood home in the same area. He chose for its tranquil, green environment, which provides a stark contrast to the bustling energy of , where his professional offices and restaurants, including those in , are based. This suburban setting allows him to balance the demands of his career with life, supported by his wife Clare. Beyond his professional and musical pursuits, Barber maintains an active personal life centered on outdoor activities and leisure in London's northern enclaves. He frequently walks his two dogs in the expansive Kenwood estate and enjoys the clean air and natural surroundings of Highgate's wooded areas, using these outings to unwind after long days in the city. Additionally, he plays on weekends and attends weekly lessons at the London Jazz Piano School, treating jazz piano as a dedicated hobby that offers creative respite. Barber's lifestyle reflects a deliberate separation between his high-profile work in Mayfair's vibrant dining scene and the quieter rhythms of home, where he values spaces with historical character akin to the elegant ambiance he cultivates in his restaurants. He is a regular at local spots like The Everyman Cinema in for films and The Bull & Last pub for family-friendly Sunday roasts, emphasizing community-oriented downtime over urban nightlife.

Awards and recognition

Restaurant and bar awards

Jamie Barber's restaurant and bar properties have garnered several accolades recognizing their enduring appeal, innovative design, and culinary creativity, underscoring his impact on London's hospitality scene. In 2014, Hush , which Barber co-founded in 1999, received the "Test of Time" award at the Restaurant Awards, honoring establishments that have maintained excellence for over a decade. This recognition highlighted Hush's status as a Mayfair staple, blending dining with a vibrant atmosphere. Hush's Aviator cocktail bar further elevated the group's profile with wins at the London Club & Bar Awards. In 2017, Aviator was named "Best Bar in ," praised for its revitalized 1960s-inspired space and exceptional under head bartender Russell Bateman. The following year, in 2018, Hush itself secured the "Best Design" award at the same event, celebrating its sophisticated interiors and seamless integration of dining and lounge areas. Barber's Haché burger chain also achieved notable recognition for its innovative offerings. In 2022, Haché's limited-edition Truffle Croissant Burger was awarded "Most Instagrammable Dish" at Taste of London, featuring a flaky croissant bun with a steak patty, Comté cheese, and truffle elements that captured widespread attention for its visual and flavorful appeal. These honors reflect Barber's ability to foster venues that balance timeless elegance with contemporary trends, contributing to the sustained success of his hospitality portfolio.

Industry acknowledgments

Jamie Barber received a for Outstanding Contribution to London Restaurants at the 2019 Tatler Restaurant Awards, recognizing his overall impact on the UK's sector through founding and scaling multiple . In , Barber was featured in the ' "My First Million" series, where he discussed his transition from entertainment lawyer to restaurateur, beginning with the launch of in 1999 alongside Sir and , underscoring his entrepreneurial pivot and sustained success in the industry. Barber's contributions to culinary trends include co-founding the Cabana Brazilian Barbecue chain, which helped popularize Brazilian barbecue in the UK, and co-authoring the 2014 cookbook Brazilian Barbecue & Beyond with David Ponté and Lizzy Barber, offering recipes and cultural insights that extended his influence beyond restaurant operations. His expertise was further acknowledged through his role as an investor and judge on the BBC's Million Pound Menu in 2018 and 2019, where he evaluated emerging restaurant concepts, drawing on his experience with brands like Haché Burgers and Cabana. In recent years, Barber co-founded My Supper Hero in 2021 with , a service emphasizing accessible home cooking, reflecting his ongoing innovation in amid post-pandemic shifts, though specific industry honors for this venture remain forthcoming as of 2025.

References

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