Restaurant & bar design firm founder Aidan Keane passes away

Keane Brands has announced the death of its founder and creative director, Aidan Keane.

The statement added: "The company are coming to terms with the unexpected and sad news. All who met Aidan were struck by his lust for life, boundless energy, creative passion and his addictively charismatic personality."

It continued: "Keane Brands will continue to deliver Aidan’s unique and visionary design ethos and the managing team are committed to his legacy through their work."

He was a former columnist for Caterer Middle East, a speaker at its Bar & Nightlife Conference, as well as a judge at the Caterer Middle East Awards. Some of the company's work in the UAE includes Taqado, Besh at Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates, and Aji.

Keane founded Keane Brands, along with his wife Louise and managing director, Jeremy Scarf in the 1990s, quickly becoming an internationally renowned branding and design company.

With award winning designs across the world, he established Keane as the go-to agency for clients as diverse as Virgin, Emirates, Jumeirah, Intercontinental Hotels, Jack Daniels, Whitbread, Nandos, Costa and Greene King.

Keane was a man of many talents; he was a former DJ, promoter, owner and club figure, explaining, in some way, his vision and range of clients. He had recently turned his hand to TV presenting, fronting Channel 4’s Big House, Little House and he was currently filming a new design show, also for Channel 4. 

The designer lived with his wife and three sons in Edgbaston, Birmingham.