Lausanne – The Board of Governors and the Management Committee of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) announced the nomination of Mr Fabien Fresnel to the post of Education and Research Director on Monday, 28 February 2011. He will take up his functions on 15 March 2011.

Driven by his passion for the hospitality industry, Fabien Fresnel brings to this eminently prestigious position a particularly rich and varied background, in both professional and academic areas.

With a particular desire to transmit and share with others, Fabien Fresnel has been a Professor at EHL since 2007 for the Bachelor and Master programmes. He specifically taught Real-Estate Financial Management.

Fabien Fresnel graduated with a Master of Management in Hospitality from Cornell University (USA), a Master in Management Sciences from IAE (Institut d'Administration des Entreprises) at the Université Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne (France), and is currently finishing a Doctorate in Management Sciences with the IAE of the Université Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne and the IAE of the Université Montesquieu in Bordeaux (France).

From humble beginnings, Fabien Fresnel has rapidly carved out a professional career that is both prolific and exemplary at a high international level.

Fabien Fresnel first shone in restaurants honoured with multiple stars around the world (France, Singapore, Japan, Brazil and Poland) over some ten years up until 1995. Thereafter, he was invited by the French Minister for Foreign Affairs to prepare the opening of Ammon College, a hotel school that includes a 4-star hotel with 100 rooms and three restaurants, located in Amman, Jordan.

He then went on to launch a successful career as an entrepreneur in the USA by developing a high-class chain of bistros/bakeries/pastry shops for a French investor, Jacques Gourmet Inc, a concept that could be compared to Ladurée. Fabien Fresnel really made this enterprise grow; from 6 units on his arrival in 1999, it jumped to 40 units in just five years.

Finally, before coming to join EHL, from 2004 to 2006, Fabien Fresnel became a Technical Advisor for the French Ministry of Tourism in Tahiti. He also gave classes there at the hotel school and undertook advisory missions for the Beachcomber hotel chain.

Fabien Fresnel approaches life with vigour. It is therefore no surprise to learn that he is also an accomplished marathon runner with a personal record of 3 hrs 03 min.

Despite the full and hectic life he leads, Fabien Fresnel has not forgotten those less favoured and penniless, as he remembers his own background. He has therefore worked in charitable activities on several occasions.

The Board of Governors wishes to warmly thank Professor Alexander Bergmann, the previous Education and Research Director ad interim.

Mr Michel Rochat, General Director of EHL, is looking forward to collaborating with a personality such as Mr Fabien Fresnel who can contribute much to reinforce the vision and strategy of the School as well as to the continuing process of improving the quality of education and research.

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