Our Management Team
Niklas Eklund
Chief Executive Officer
Niklas joined Livebookings as CEO in 2006. With over 15 years of experience, he is a seasoned internet services and software entrepreneur. After building many successful online businesses serving the US and European markets, Niklas met owners of Loghos Logical Hospitality Systems which lead to the development of the business plan for Livebookings.
Niklas studied Computer Science at Chalmers Technical University, Gothenburg and Business Administration at Lund University, Sweden and has received several accolades rewarding his inspirational leadership including IT Entrepreneur of the Year in Sweden.
His favourite restaurants include Inamo in London, Cafe Tu Tu Tango in Orlando and Teatergrillen in Stockholm. Niklas spent a short time in the restaurant industry early in his career, working as a Bouncer at his wife’s restaurant in Tylösand, Sweden.
David Norris
Chief Operating Officer
David joined Livebookings in November 2007. Prior to working at Livebookings, he held positions of Website and Ecommerce Operations Director at Expedia, Head of Overseas Operations at Simply Travel and Head of UK Sites at lastminute.com in charge of websites including holidayautos.co.uk, onlinetravel.com and deckchair.com.
In his past, David has experienced the hospitality industry first hand during numerous restaurant and bar positions and six ski seasons spent in France. He is a former competitive cyclist, a keen blogger and considers Sturehof in Stockholm, Munchie in Chamonix and The Wolseley in London as some of his favourite restaurants.
Christopher Persson
Co-Founder and Sales Executive Officer
Christopher joined Livebookings in February 2006 after the company he founded, Loghos (Loghos Logical Hospitality Systems), merged with Livebookings. Prior to Livebokings, Christopher held positions including General Manager of business simulation company BTS Group and Sales and Marketing Director for French online health and wellbeing provider Vielife. He has a soft spot for the English pub tradition and after graduating from Jefferson College, St Louis and Stockholm University, held various positions in the industry.
After moving to London Christopher was fortunate to run his own pub for a few years - the Phene Arms in Chelsea, London. His favourite restaurants include the Spotted Pig in New York, East in Hamburg, Pappa & Ciccia in Fulham and Bistro Ruby in Stockholm.
Andris Berzins
Chief Marketing Officer
Andris joined Livebookings in November 2009. An experienced executive in the fields of business development, strategy, sales, marketing and product development, he has a track record of leading growth and development of high-tech and software businesses in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Prior to working at Livebookings, Andris held the position of Vice President & Managing Director, EMEA at Aeroscout Inc in the Silicon Valley.
Before attending City University, London and the University of Stanford, California, Andris spent a brief spell in the hospitality industry as a bar tender and classes Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia and Verandan in Stockholm as his favourite restaurants.
Renette Youssef
Marketing Director
Renette joined Livebookings in March 2009. With over 15 years business to business experience across Europe and Asia Pacific, her previous achievements include best B2B website two years running and the launch of Allaire & Macromedia in Australia. Renette’s previous role as Marketing Director at Touchstone Group Plc saw her responsible for repositioning the company from a reseller to a services organisation.
During her university years in Sydney, Renette waitressed at a 24 hour diner and considers herself a big twitter fan and huge foodie with Le Bristol in Paris, Chez Bruce in London, Momofuku Ssam in New York and Rockpool in Sydney among her favourite restaurants.
Benjamin Smith
Finance Director
Benjamin joined Livebookings in 2007. His previous roles include Financial Accountant at Vans Services Ltd, where he managed financial reporting for Vans footwear in all their European markets and Senior Financial Analyst for Office Holdings Ltd, where he was instrumental in providing and researching key data to facilitate a three-fold increase in outlets across the UK and Ireland.
Benjamin graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in music but swiftly realised he was more suited to a career in finance. He is a huge foodie, eating out at London’s best restaurants at least twice a week and considers Boxwood Café, Tom Aikens and in Arbutus in London and Tao in New York City among his favourites.
Olivia FitzGerald
Country Manager, UK & Ireland
Olivia joined Livebookings in January 2004. As one of the first Livebookings employees, she has worked her way up from Sales Executive to General Manager for the UK and Ireland. Prior to Livebookings, Olivia worked for PR and graphic design agencies, ‘did the book’ at London restaurants Quaglino’s and Vong (now Boxwood Café) and was part of the team that opened the first Bank restaurant on Aldwych, where she encountered Livebookings in its first incarnation.
Olivia studied at Goldsmith’s College, London and the Royal College of Art, London and considers Pied a Terre and the Wolesley among her favourite restaurants.