Home Insights Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

The hotel executive believes the hospitality industry needs to be proactive in hiring to reflect society


Simon Vincent is an executive vice-president at the Hilton hotel group and as president of EMEA is responsible for around 1,000 hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

  

He joined Hilton in 2007 and in his current role looks after more than 85,000 employees, 18,000 of whom are based in the UK, in the 200 hotels it operates here. 

  

The secret he wanted to share for our My Business Leader Secret series is all about staff diversity and inclusion. 

  

“One of the great things about a global hospitality company is that it has diverse customers,” says Vincent. “They come from many different cultures and many different backgrounds, so its important that our team members reflect that diversity.”  

  

“Another great thing about hospitality as an industry is that we offer opportunities for young people of all abilities,” explains Vincent.  

 

One of the initiatives he is most proud of, he says, is the partnership with the charity The Down's Syndrome Association and its WorkFit scheme. It finds work opportunities for people with Down Syndrome.  At the Waldorf Hilton and several other hotels in the Hilton chain there are employees with Down Syndrome who work in the kitchens and in customer-facing roles, such as serving food., he says.

 

These people add a richness to our culture,” says Vincent, “and are often the most popular team members, both with customers and our own team members alike. It’s something Im proud to see and really proud to promote within the industry.” 

 

Watch more videos from the My Business Leader Secret series.


Related and recommended

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

Will Orr shares his insights into Gen Z’s changing attitude to health and fitness

An economic reality check is coming

An economic reality check is coming

Both the country and the government must face the truth: either taxes will have to rise or services will need to be cut. We can’t have both

From mandate to mutiny: Can Starmer survive year two?

From mandate to mutiny: Can Starmer survive year two?

The prime minister is seeing his popularity – and his authority – fade as a series of costly U-turns make tax rises ever more likely

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

Eric Johnson leads an online platform focused on the value of collecting feedback, a principle he applies to his own company

Apply to become a member

Click here to review our privacy policy.

Start your journey