After nearly five years in executive leadership with Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Nazia Millwala has been named the company’s president.
Millwala’s ascension is part of a “planned evolution” for the company as ARP partners Dave Nicholas, David Clapp and Scott Shaw are moving away from day-to-day operations, the company announced. In Alexandria, ARP owns Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge, Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, Ada’s on the River, Barca Pier and Wine Bar, Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Royal Restaurant. The company also owns Palette 22 in Arlington and a Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Café Tu Tu Tango in Orlando, Fla.
“ARP’s greatest strength is the people who bring our restaurants to life every day,” Millwala said in a statement. “My priority is to give our teams the clarity and support they need to do their best work. We have an incredible opportunity to build on what makes our restaurants special, find new ways to serve our guests and contribute even more to the communities we call home.”
In a release, ARP said that Millwala’s priorities for her first year at the helm include “ensuring a smooth transition, building an expanded executive leadership team and establishing a strong operational structure for the company’s future.”
According to ARP:
Building on more than a decade of growth, Millwala’s strategy will focus on ARP’s people, management development and community involvement. Over the next 18 months, she plans to develop the company’s next generation of managers and leaders, create new opportunities for employees and deepen ARP’s connections throughout Alexandria and Orlando. Her strategy will also include growing sales channels such as catering, strengthening marketing efforts and continuing to evolve the company’s concepts and guest experiences.
Nicholas said that the time is right to “transition day-to-day leadership to Nazia.”
“She has earned the trust and respect of our team through her thoughtful leadership, broad business perspective and genuine commitment to our people,” Nicholas said. “We look forward to remaining involved and supporting her as she leads ARP forward.”
Before ARP, Millwala spent 12 years as a development director and project manager for Yum! Brands. Raised in Dubai, she started her career as an audit associate at KPMG in the United Arab Emirates after earning a degree in commerce from the University of Wollongong in Australia and an international MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain, according to her LinkedIn page.
Dining and Cooking