EHL building its future: The world number 1 sets up a holding company to fulfill its ambitious goals

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) deploys its strategic development objectives under the leadership of its Board of Governors. The newly formed "EHL SA" holding company aims to ensure the management of its various specialized business units.

This holding company structure rationalizes EHL activities and facilitates a portfolio development of coherent and specialized entities, both within Switzerland and internationally.

The structure organizes its units into three main fields: hospitality management education, which remains the core mission of EHL, international activities and the campus.

Educational entities:

• EHL Haute Ecole: offering university and post-graduate level education
• EHL Academia: focused on applied sciences and practical immersion
• Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality (SSTH): specialized in vocational education
• EHL Hospitality Services: conception, commercialization and production of hospitality services, mainly designed for students' activities within their curriculum, living on campus

International activities:

• Lausanne Hospitality Consulting (LHC): through management consulting and education, LHC contributes to the international development of EHL and showcases its expertise and knowledge all over the world

Campus:

• EHL Real Estate:
  dedicated to the acquisition, renovation and management of real estate, namely with regards to the development of the new EHL Campus

A qualitative development strategy

The purpose of the holding company is to better meet the expectations of students, applicants and employers, and to provide a variety of specific products and services. In this respect, the creation of EHL SA is "a decisive strategic measure that will foster the development of EHL and reinforce its global leadership position", said André Witschi, President of the Board of Governors.

Change underpinned by stability

Guglielmo L. Brentel will chair the holding company's Board of Directors. This seasoned hotelier and former Vice-President of the Board of Governors will bring to the table his first-hand professional knowledge, the industry's evolution and its expectations. Mr. Brentel says that he is delighted to be "contributing to the future of EHL, which has symbolized the excellence of Swiss hospitality expertise ever since it was first established in 1893." General Director Michel Rochat has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the holding company and will manage all the subsidiary entities. His expertise in the academic world and experience at EHL will ensure a smooth evolution. They will be joined by leaders from various professional and academic backgrounds, in Switzerland and