In February 2025, the spotlight shines on David Singleton, a global strategist, leadership coach, and visionary advisor who has shaped some of the world’s most loved brands across 40 countries. With a career spanning continents and industries, David Singleton has become a guiding force for executives and organizations seeking transformation, purpose, and growth.
Early Foundations: Building Brands in the United Kingdom
David Singleton’s professional journey began in the United Kingdom, where he worked in the food and beverage industry, leading and developing brands nationwide. From managing local outlets to leading franchise operations, he built a strong foundation in business leadership and brand development. During this time, he also studied at the University of Central Florida and later earned his Master’s degree from Coventry University.
His passion for leadership and strategic growth soon earned him an invitation to join Coventry University’s Advisory Board, an early recognition of his growing influence. With this strong educational and professional background, David Singleton’s next move would take him far beyond the United Kingdom’s borders.
The International Leap: Expanding Horizons
David Singleton’s international career began in Moscow, where he joined the largest restaurant group in Russia and the CIS region. As Brand Director, he worked as part of a high-level turnaround team, helping the company strengthen its operations and brand identity during a period of major change.
One of his most creative projects during this time was consulting for Mercedes Benz. He helped design the company’s first-ever restaurant concept in Russia to coincide with the launch of the A-Class vehicle — a unique intersection of hospitality, branding, and automotive innovation that showcased his ability to blend industries through experience-led design.
The UAE Chapter: Leadership at Al Tayer Group
After his success in Russia, David Singleton moved to the United Arab Emirates to join the Al Tayer Group, one of the region’s most respected family-owned conglomerates. As Vice President of Hospitality on the company’s retail board, he played a crucial strategic and operational role, reporting directly to the CEO and the board chaired by Obaid Al Tayer.
This experience exposed David Singleton to the unique business dynamics of the Gulf region, where family offices, cultural nuance, and global brand partnerships intersect. It also set the stage for his later work in leadership coaching and strategic advisory, blending Western business strategy with Middle Eastern insight
Leading Global Operations: Hard Rock Café
David Singleton’s final corporate position was with the Hard Rock Café franchise business, where he served as Vice President across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Overseeing operations in 40 countries, he worked closely with franchisees, investors, and family offices. His role required balancing cultural understanding with operational precision, a skill that would later define his coaching philosophy.
At Hard Rock Café, he developed a reputation for building high-performing, diverse teams and creating growth strategies that resonated with local markets while maintaining global consistency.
Founding Oraculi: A New Chapter of Purpose
In 2020, David Singleton founded Oraculi, a thought leadership and strategic advisory practice designed to help organizations and leaders grow with purpose. The name Oraculi, derived from Latin meaning “to mentor,” reflects the company’s mission to guide leaders, teams, and organizations through transformational growth.
Today, Oraculi serves executives, startups, and large enterprises seeking clarity, leadership alignment, and long-term strategy. David Singleton acts as Founder, Advisor, Non-Executive Director, and Transformational Coach, helping clients navigate change while building strong internal cultures that can adapt and thrive.
Empowering Leadership Through Transformation
At the heart of David Singleton’s work lies a simple but powerful belief: culture must be designed with intention. Through Oraculi, he helps organizations shape their culture to align with strategic goals, encouraging growth that lasts.
His coaching programs focus on transformational leadership, enabling executives to reach their full potential while guiding their teams toward sustainable performance. Whether working one-on-one with CEOs or facilitating workshops for large groups, his methods emphasize self-awareness, communication, and authentic leadership.
Oraculi’s approach is holistic, combining deep personal insight with actionable business frameworks. From C-suite executives to emerging leaders, his programs are designed to build resilience, adaptability, and purpose.
Recently, David Singleton recorded his first TEDx Talk, where he shared his insights on leadership, culture, and purpose-driven growth. The talk, currently under TED’s review process, reflects his lifelong commitment to helping others unlock their potential and lead with authenticity.
Inside Oraculi: Services that Drive Change
David Singleton and his team at Oraculi have developed a suite of specialized services tailored to organizations in growth or transformation mode.
High Performance Executive Coaching — designed for leaders and teams aiming to achieve generational change while staying aligned with their organization’s vision and values.
360-Degree Leadership Feedback — using tools such as Oraculi Introsight, Positive Intelligence Saboteur Assessment, and VIA Character Strength Assessment, allowing leaders to gain actionable insights to enhance self-awareness and effectiveness.
Team Workshops and Keynotes — real-time, interactive sessions that include observational feedback and leadership experiences, sometimes incorporating innovative approaches such as equine-assisted learning.
Tailored Leadership Assessments — focused on rapid transformation, helping teams identify their strengths and areas for improvement to become future-ready.
Strategic Advisory Services — integrating culture, leadership, and strategy to create frameworks that evolve with business goals, ensuring long-term impact.
Expanding Expertise Beyond Hospitality
While David Singleton’s reputation was originally built in the hospitality and food sector, his expertise has since expanded into multiple industries including technology, healthcare, entertainment, and consumer brands. He also advises on large-scale events, AI-driven brand development, and private equity ventures, demonstrating the adaptability and versatility that define his career.
His advisory work often involves helping brands enter new markets, guiding executives through cultural shifts, and aligning leadership teams for success. Many of his long-term clients evolve with him, transitioning from coaching relationships to board-level mentorships and advisory roles.
Personal Life and Future Vision
Beyond his professional achievements, David Singleton is a proud father of two daughters, Katie and Hollie, who both live and work in Dubai. Katie, a former teacher, now works with Cigna, while Hollie is a Marketing and PR Manager. Family remains a grounding force in his life, reflecting the balance and authenticity he encourages in his coaching practice.
Currently, David Singleton is writing his first book, BEYōND Boundaries Beyond, which explores how individuals can form authentic, purpose-driven goals. The book offers a blend of practical exercises and philosophical reflection on leadership, purpose, and personal growth — an extension of the principles he teaches through Oraculi.
Legacy and Lessons for Future Leaders
David Singleton’s story is one of reinvention and continuous evolution. From managing pubs in the United Kingdom to advising multinational boards in Dubai, his career embodies adaptability, cultural intelligence, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
His journey teaches future leaders that success is not only about scaling businesses — it is about scaling people. Through intentional culture design, authentic leadership, and resilience, David Singleton shows how individuals and organizations can go beyond traditional boundaries to achieve lasting transformation.
As of February 2025, David Singleton continues to guide leaders around the world through his coaching, advisory work, and upcoming TEDx talk and book. His message is timeless yet deeply relevant in today’s business world — lead with purpose, grow with intention, and always go beyond boundaries.
Do connect him on LinkedIn
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