From left to right: Michel Rochat, CEO, EHL Group; Michael Hartmann, Managing Director of SSTH; André Witschi, President of the Board of Directors of SSTH — Photo by EHL

Passugg, Switzerland – EHL Group announces Michael Hartmann as new Managing Director of the Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality (SSTH) in Passugg. Michael replaces Mr. Knut Rupprecht who is leaving SSTH for personal reasons. We would like to thank Knut for his personal dedication to the rebirth of the school. Effective immediately, Michael is set to drive the further development of the sister school of Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), dedicated to vocational hospitality education.

Michael Hartmann joined EHL in 2014 as Senior Executive Advisor, actively contributing to the creation of the Lausanne Report, a strategic in-depth report on the possible future scenarios of the hospitality industry which will be launched later this year. A sneak-preview of the report was presented to a professional audience in March 2016 at the Window to the Future think-tank summit held at EHL.

Having started his career in Munich, Germany, with Kempinski, Michael Hartmann is a graduate of the Hotel Management School in Heidelberg, Germany, and attended Cornell University. In 2004 he received a MBA degree from Henley Management College (UK). Click here to view Michael Hartmann's biography.

Michael Hartmann brings with him a wealth of experience in consulting and business development in the hospitality industry, namely within his previous position as Senior Vice President of the Siemens One Hospitality Market Development Board, with global responsibility for all Siemens divisions. With this strong background, he will continue to strengthen the school's close ties with the industry, ensuring that SSTH graduates meet the needs of the developing hospitality market.

In his new role, Michael Hartmann will be responsible for the development of SSTH in line with the strategic objectives of EHL Group, reinforcing the school's position as a leader in vocational hospitality education and providing the best career opportunities for its students. In addition to offering a higher degree in hospitality, SSTH offers its students the opportunity to study for a further 3 semesters in order to complete a Bachelor of Science HES-SO degree in International Hospitality Management at EHL.

About his nomination, Michael Hartmann stated: "It is an honor to have such an opportunity to help unlock the growth potential of SSTH and continue its path in becoming the first international address for holistic hospitality education."

EHL Group CEO Michel Rochat added: "We are delighted to have Michael lead the management of SSTH and pursue the development of this exceptional school. The hotel industry growth is providing ever more international opportunities for talented young professionals and the education delivered at SSTH ensures that those doors are open to our graduates."

André Witschi, President of the SSTH Board of Directors, stated: "We are very grateful for the hard work accomplished by all SSTH teams over the past 24 months to revive the school and establish a reference for vocational hospitality studies."

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.
With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

Reto Wilhelm
+41 (0)44 365 20 20
EHL