LEADING WITH EMPATHY AND VISION

At the helm of one of the world's largest hospitality portfolios, Federico J. González-CEO of Radisson Hotel Group and Board Director of Louvre Hotels Group-leads with strategic foresight and cultural sensitivity. These qualities have powered the rapid growth of Radisson and Sarovar in India, a market he regards as a continent of opportunity with vast potential. An SOH exclusive.

- MAN TARAFDAR

Federico J. González is among the most influential people in hospitality globally. His remit includes a portfolio of over 3,000 hotels, including about 250 in India-spread across two global hotel groups, with, as he says, "nothing in common operationally but me". As he sat down for a chat at the newly opened Sarovar Portico Sriperumbudur, admiring the pace of growth for hospitality in India, and patiently adjusting to the needs of an extended video interview, the cores of his leadership especially integrity and empathy-are evident.

González is CEO of Radisson Hotel Group and Board Director, Groupe du Louvre or Louvre Hotels Group. Radisson has more than 1,520 hotels in operation and development in EMEA and APAC, while Louvre has about 1,750 hotels globally. Both are owned by a consortium led by Jin Jiang International Holdings Co. Ltd., a tourism and hospitality company headquartered in Shanghai, China, and owned by the Shanghai Municipal People's government. Yet, both operate independently.

A polyglot, González, born in 1964, speaks four languages, has written three books, and is currently working on his next one. Soft-spoken, detail-oriented, and emphatic, his leadership has been inspirational in propelling the groups onto the rapid growth trajectory they have been on. At university, González majored in economics and received a Master's in International Trade and Finance from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP). He spent years in various management positions at FMCG major Procter & Gamble (including country head of Portugal), and later was deputy general manager of Disneyland Paris and CEO of Germany's NH Hotel Group. Associated with Radisson since 2017, he has held several leadership roles within the group. Having led the company through challenging phases such as COVID, he successfully steered it forward and now oversees its rapid growth.

INDIA AS A PRIORITY