What is your philosophy in life?

I’m inspired by everyday challenges. I believe that one can grow each day by learning, meeting different people and capturing new ideas. In the hospitality business, we are particularly lucky to be able to do that as our world is full of opportunities and extraordinary people.

What are your goals?

My dream is to enjoy what I do and to do it with passion every day. I am very aware of how lucky I am to have been able to pursue a career in what I love doing the most.

What are your values?

Trust and respect above all. I am a careful listener, am very respectful of people from all walks of life with different ideas to mine and I enjoy having close and trusting relationships.

What is your favourite hotel?

I have seen so many beautiful, inspiring hotels, such as The Gritti Palace Venice; The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong; SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, and recently of course have fallen head over heels for the Hotel de Russie in Rome. It has such a wonderful atmosphere and the newly restored garden is astonishing. Above all, I rarely judge a hotel by its look but mostly by its feel and service. It is the people that make a hotel.

What was the most extraordinary hotel event in your career?

The opening of The St Regis Venice in 2019 was certainly the most extraordinary party. I believe the staff had as good a time as the guests!

Can you tell us some of your favourite restaurants in Rome, Florence, Berlin and London?

I love to discover real cuisine: no fancy stuff, just local ingredients, traditional recipes and a place with soul. Some of my favourites are Antica Pesa in Rome, Cantinetta Antinori Firenze in Florence, Max und Moritz in Berlin and Wheeler’s of St James’s by Marco Pierre White in London.

What book would you take on holiday?

A thriller or a historic book on ancient Rome. 

And who would your favourite travel companion be?

My wife, Alessandra.