The first development programme focused on impact-positive luxury hospitality for industry leaders.
July 2024 – Today a new hospitality educational programme, Kepler International Hospitality Academy (KIHA) announces its inaugural edition, taking place in Amsterdam on 7 October 2024. The first of its kind, KIHA’s mission is to evolve current luxury hospitality models, with a focus on impact-positive hospitality. The premise of KIHA is based on the rapidly evolving expectations of the affluent consumer and the need for hoteliers to keep up with demand for businesses and service models that put people and planet first. KIHA was created to develop and evolve the expertise today’s industry leaders require to redefine and deliver elevated luxury in hospitality.
KIHA is the brainchild of Jannes Sörensen, Phillippe Krenzer, Jacob Mayne and Ken Yokoyama, and its five-month Senior Executive Leadership Programme is tailored to ambitious, successful senior executives in the premium echelons of the hospitality sector, who are looking to challenge current luxury hospitality models in accordance with the evolution of changing consumer demand.
Delivering impact-positive luxury hospitality requires acute awareness, rigorous discipline, and a deep understanding of strategy, combined with business and leadership skills of the highest order. The Senior Executive Leadership Programme accordingly revolves around three core themes: Deep Service Hospitality, Positive Impact Business Models and Leadership through Self-Mastery, and is divided into two consecutive stages:
The first stage consists of three intensive five-day residential study modules, two in Europe (Amsterdam and Freiburg/Basel); one in Asia (Kyoto). The second stage consists of a two-month Leadership Assignment in the Workplace. Throughout, participants are supported by their personally assigned mentors, coaches, and peer group, with development coaching sessions provided for every participant before, during and after the study modules.
KIHA Founder Jannes Sörensen comments: “Kepler’s intensive, experience-based approach to the development of senior hospitality managers is unique in the international business school world. Where schools of hospitality management tend to emphasise technical and financial subjects at the expense of personal development, service, and cultural aspects, learning at KIHA focuses on personal growth and development, as well as the acquisition of new business skills and insights.”
“Today’s leading hoteliers are often operationally excellent, and at this stage of their careers, they need to become visionary leaders. This training program will support them by immersing them in situations that completely challenge their certainties,” explains Philippe Krenzer.
The KIHA Leadership Programme is selective, with each cohort limited to 15 participants. A diverse participant mix is an important part of KIHA programmes, with successful candidates reflecting a broad range of hospitality models, national cultures, and professional backgrounds to enrich the cohort’s learning experience.
For more information visit: www.kepleriha.com
About Kepler International Hospitality Academy:
Kepler International Hospitality Academy (KIHA) was established in late 2023 by four principal founders to develop industry leaders to redefine and deliver a new form of elevated luxury. Training with the Academy will equip senior professionals to design, deliver and manage new positive-impact hospitality and tourism models.
About KIHA’s founders:
Jannes Sörensen When Jannes joined The Beaumont Hotel in London he became one of the UK’s youngest General Managers, and in five years transformed the hotel into an award-winning landmark destination, with accolades including TripAdvisor’s #2 Luxury Hotel in the UK, one of the top 25 luxury hotels in the world, AA London Hotel of the Year and The Gallivanter’s Best Independent Hotel in the World, who also awarded him the title of World’s Best General Manager two years in a row.
Jannes started his hospitality journey as a concierge, working his way up with roles at the world’s most prestigious five-star hotels, including the Kempinski Hotel Adlon in Berlin, the Four Seasons George V in Paris, the Ritz Carlton Hotel Arts in Barcelona, and The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Prior to joining The Beaumont, he was Director of Rooms and a member of the Executive Planning Committee at Le Bristol in Paris, and Director of Rooms at The Connaught in London.
Philippe Krenzer In the KIHA Senior Executive Development Programme, Phillippe Krenzer is the lead on Deep Service Innovation, is the Joint Programme Lead, Co-Facilitator and brings decades of expertise to his roles as Participant Mentor and Development Coach.
Phillippe’s career has spanned senior leadership roles in some of the world’s finest hotels. Positions include General Manager of the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, and Hotel Manager at The Savoy and Claridge’s in London, the Oberoi in Bali, and the Omni in Hong Kong.
In 2005, Philippe launched Philippe Krenzer and Associates (PKA), specialising in luxury hospitality, consulting and training. Philippe also teaches on the MBA at HEC Paris and is visiting Professor of Strategy at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland.
Jacob Mayne
Jacob Mayne draws on many years in senior roles in HR, innovation and change leadership in his roles as Impact Integration Lead, Joint Programme Lead, Co-Facilitator, Mentor and Development Coach for the KIHA Senior Executive Development Programme.
A UK national based in Paris, Jacob spent 20 years in HR, brand strategy, business development and innovation for Unilever (food & beverage), including 13 in Japan and Asia. He was both CEO and consultant in the museum sector for the Australian and French ministries of culture, spent 15 years as a consultant in strategy for business model change and sustainability, including seven years’ leadership coaching at Turningpoint.
In 2005, Jacob co-founded the Change Leaders, followed by New Angles in 2009. Since 2005 he teaches, mentors and has created Executive and Master programmes in several business schools: HEC Paris, Oxford Saïd, Geneva University, Sciences Po Paris and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland.
Ken Yokoyama
Ken is the Joint Programme Lead for the Kyoto module. After serving in various roles in large hotel groups such as Shangri-La in Malaysia, Hilton in Tahiti, Park Hyatt Tokyo, and Sydney, he became the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Kyoto, where he established it as a model of service and refinement. He is dedicated to enhancing the region’s social, environmental, and economic activities through the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.