Operator experience. Agency expertise.
Founded in 2015 in response to growing demand from brands for the team’s boundary-pushing methods, Mr Lyan Studio has since served over 100 clients across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.
Our identity is rooted in bars and hospitality – from the people we hire to the methods we use and even the space we call home, which is part bar, part office, and part development kitchen. Our delivery is grounded in strategy consulting, ensuring practicality, commerciality and reliability in every project.
Meet the team
-
Ryan Chetiyawardana
Founder, Mr Lyan
The world’s most awarded bartender, Ryan has been in the drinks and hospitality industry for over 20 years. He formed the Mr Lyan world in 2013, with the opening of White Lyan in East London, signalling his intent to do things differently. This led to critical acclaim through his venues and via his cocktails, writing, talks and client work for Mr Lyan Studio, resulting in him being recognised as one of the foremost pioneers in the industry.
-
Natasha Chetiyawardana
Non-Exec Director
Natasha’s expertise is in driving growth through new businesses, ventures and creativity. She co-founded venture and innovation consultancy Bow & Arrow (acquired by Accenture in 2019). A thought leader at a global level, with keynotes at forums such as Web Summit, SXSW and Cannes Lions and she is the Chair of the Drum Design Awards, so she brings both a keen creative and commercial eye to all Mr Lyan Studio projects.
-
Bob Conwell
Managing Director, Mr Lyan Studio
Managing Director and strategic lead, translating briefs into clear, compelling programmes and making sure the work lands commercially. 20 years across brand strategy, innovation and product, including leadership roles at DesignStudio and EY and consulting for global organisations. Responsible for shaping positioning, structuring delivery and steering client teams from diagnosis to execution.
-
Alex Lawrence Milia
Managing Director, Venues
Venue and operations lead, responsible for turning concepts into high‑performing bars and hospitality experiences. Award‑winning bartender and serial entrepreneur (including Porter’s Gin and Whitebox), with deep expertise in build, launch and day‑to‑day performance. Brings practical insight on layout, workflow, service design and scalable training.
-
Chris Stock
Venues Development Director
Hospitality leader with 20+ years across Melbourne, Edinburgh and London, bridging creativity with operational excellence. Former General Manager of Dandelyan (World’s Best Bar 2018) and part of the team launching Lyaness and Seed Library. Recent Director of Food & Beverage roles across leading hotels, bringing a sharp lens on performance, delivery, and complex multi‑site operations.
-
Anna Sulan Masing
Brand Strategist Director
Writer and brand strategist focused on food, drink and culture, shaping narratives that make concepts feel human and memorable. Anna’s background spans hospitality, media and academia, including co‑founding Voices at the Table and publishing Sourced and Cheese Magazine. Leads tone of voice, storytelling and cultural context across Studio projects – from positioning through to content and advocacy.
-
Mark Low
Lead Creative
Creative lead across the Studio’s drinks and brand work, shaping concepts into distinctive, workable programmes. 13+ years in the drinks industry and 7+ years at Mr Lyan Studio, with a background in running world‑class venues. Brings lateral thinking and detail‑level craft to NPD, menu development, flavour systems and experience design.
-
Phoebe Llewellyn Jones
Project Management Lead
Operations and project delivery lead, keeping work moving smoothly across timelines, teams and geographies. Background in marketing, events and design, with 7+ years at Mr Lyan Studio. Known for translating ambitious creative plans into clear delivery – coordinating stakeholders, managing logistics and ensuring every detail is executed to a high standard.
-
Jere Vihervaara
Creative
Drinks specialist and creative operator with deep craft and international experience (Helsinki, Sydney, London). Four‑time Finland’s Best Bartender winner, with a focus on precision, flavour and service‑ready execution. Key to the launches of Lyaness and Super Lyan Amsterdam, bringing concept development, build support and meticulous drink delivery from prototype to pour.
-
Claire Brown
Operations Coordinator
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Claire has a background in global marketing programmes at Mastercard UK, and Head of Platform for Australia’s largest equity crowdfunding platform, Birtual, specialising in fintech, sustainable consumer, food/beverage and brewery ventures. Claire first joined the Lyan world behind the bar at Seed Library London; outside the studio she can be found cycling back roads, surfing remote coastlines, or performing stand-up.
-
Alan Ironside
Sales & Brand Advocacy
With a background in journalism, hospitality, and marketing, Alan has over 12 years experience in the spirits industry. Starting as a brand home host at Glen Moray and Laphroaig, he then spent three years in India as a brand ambassador for Pernod Ricard’s Scotch whisky portfolio. Most recently he marketed single cask whisky in the independent bottling space. Hailing from Speyside, Scotland, he specialises in combining storytelling and experiences to create lasting relationships with brands.
-
Zak Shervington
Junior Creative
Zak joined the Lyan family through Seed Library in 2023; this is where his love for the industry and hospitality was cemented. He has a love for fermentation and wacky flavours, and when not developing drinks he can be found on his bike touring east London and whittling spoons (not simultaneously).