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About Us

Our Story

At CQA (Concept Quality Assurance), we partner with investors to bring ambitious hospitality and lifestyle concepts to life. From boutique restaurants to large-scale resorts, wellness retreats, and gyms, our mission is to remove the guesswork and deliver projects that are creative, commercially sound, and operationally flawless.

With years of international experience in hospitality, F&B, and wellness, we understand that success isn’t just about design — it’s about execution, quality, and sustainable operations. CQA exists to give investors’ confidence that their vision will be realized at the highest standard.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to set a new standard in hospitality project delivery — combining creativity, operational expertise, and quality assurance so every project is not only beautiful but profitable and sustainable.

Our vision is to become the leading partner for hospitality investors in Southeast Asia and beyond, known for embedding ourselves into every project we touch, ensuring venues thrive long after launch.

Our strength lies in the people we bring together.

Leadership

Experienced operators and creative directors who have delivered projects across APAC, Europe, and the Middle East.

Consultants

Executive chefs, mixologists, wellness experts, and design specialists who shape the soul of each venue.

Operations & Support

Project managers, account managers, and trainers who keep everything on track.

OUR TEAM

Our strength lies in the people we bring together — We have a plethora of GM’s, executive chefs, bar managers, project managers and recruitment specialists in our stable who have delivered successful projects across APAC, Europe, and the Middle East.  We find and fit the right team for the right project, and work together to create success and profitability.

James Karl Ephraim
James Karl Ephraim Partner & CEO
James Ephraim is a highly accomplished hospitality leader with over 20 years of international experience and more than 40 successful projects across Asia. Trained in world-renowned kitchens including Mugaritz in Spain and Le Saint-James in France, he built a foundation in innovation, discipline, and world-class culinary standards before expanding into full-scale concept creation and hospitality development. His career includes elevating Mozaic to Indonesia’s #1 restaurant for nine consecutive years and co-founding Mozaic Beach Club, one of the country’s top dining destinations. As Founder of Luna Beach Club, he led the transformation of a 17,000 m² site into a multi-venue lifestyle destination, showcasing his ability to conceptualize, build, and operate large-scale, commercially successful hospitality businesses. James is also the creative mind behind some of Bali’s most successful bars and nightclubs, further cementing his reputation for shaping high-impact venues with strong market appeal. Today, as Founder of CQA, he continues to guide investors through end-to-end hospitality creation — delivering sustainable, high-performance F&B brands across restaurants, beach clubs, nightclubs, cafés, and lifestyle destinations throughout Asia.
Matt Stephens
Matt Stephens Partner & COO
Matt Stephens is the Chief Operating Officer and Partner at CQA, bringing over 20 years of international operational leadership experience across APAC and Europe. His career spans Southeast Asia, Australia, and key European markets, where he has led complex hospitality, lifestyle, and multi-venue projects for global brands and regional operators. At CQA, Matt is responsible for overseeing operations, commercial performance, and end-to-end project delivery. He works closely with investors, developers, and internal teams to ensure creative concepts are executed with operational discipline, financial accountability, and long-term scalability. His role bridges strategy and execution — from concept development and pre-opening through to full P&L ownership and ongoing performance management. Matt has held senior regional leadership roles across APAC and has worked with internationally recognised brands including Nike, BMW, Liverpool FC, GlaxoSmithKline, Diageo, and Lion Nathan. Known for his hands-on, execution-focused approach, he operates as an embedded partner within CQA’s projects, ensuring each business is built to perform, scale, and endure.