As Director of Finance, I’m responsible for ensuring the hotel’s financial health. This includes everything from financial reporting and budgeting to forecasting and compliance. The luxury hotel industry has its unique challenges, such as managing cash flow in a seasonal business and adapting to market changes. What I enjoy most is blending financial strategy with hospitality management, driving the hotel’s long-term success while ensuring financial integrity and delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Balancing financial stability with investment in guest experience is central to my role. Luxury comes at a cost, and as guests’ demands for highly personalised services grow, so do the expenses. These investments, however, are essential to not only meet expectations but to stay competitive in a demanding market. It’s all about making the right investments to elevate the guest experience while ensuring profitability. This balance is reflected in room prices, which are key to maintaining our high standards.

We integrate sustainability into all aspects of our operations, ensuring our green purchasing policy is upheld. The Alpina Gstaad is located in the beautiful Saanenland region, and we take our responsibility to protect it seriously. We work with eco-certified suppliers and rely on the EarthCheck Environmental Management System to monitor metrics like greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, freshwater conservation, and waste management. These efforts are measured annually against EarthCheck’s 10 key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring we balance environmental responsibility with business performance.

Luxury hospitality has shifted towards personalised, experience-driven stays and sustainability. We’ve embraced revenue management tools, invested in eco-friendly technologies, and enhanced guest personalisation through tech, allowing us to offer tailored experiences while improving operational efficiency.

In my first year, my focus is on strengthening financial performance and supporting the hotel’s growth and sustainability goals. By refining financial reporting and optimising costs, we’ll provide real-time insights that drive profitability. I’ll also ensure our investments align with sustainability initiatives, reducing carbon emissions and energy use while fostering financial accountability across the hotel.