Leadership series - Bastien Blanc

From hotel floors to the boardroom: a conversation with Bastien Blanc, Group CEO of Hashoo Group.

Bastien has spent his career in hospitality, building it through some of the industry's biggest names before stepping into the entrepreneurial side of the business. 

In this episode, we talk to Bastien about where it all started, what he learned during his years with Accor and IHG, and how that experience shaped the way he now leads and grows Hashoo Group.

He also explains why he chose to build his life and career in the Middle East, and what makes the region so compelling for hospitality professionals right now. We get his view on Saudi Arabia's rapid growth and what Saudization means for companies operating there, along with an honest look at Pakistan and the opportunities its market holds.

Bastien shares how he uses his network and position to open doors, what he brings to the companies, concepts and organisations he works with, and the trends he expects to shape the GCC over the coming years.

To finish, he answers a question many people quietly ask themselves: what's the real difference between those who talk about moving abroad and those who actually pack up and relocate to a more challenging destination?

Whether you work in hospitality, are thinking about a move to the Gulf, or are simply curious about how a career like this gets built, there's plenty here to take away.