In a new series of articles, we’ll be profiling a diverse range of professionals all enrolled on the September 2022 intake of the Executive Master’s in Luxury Management and Guest Experience. We’ll explore their backgrounds, look at why they chose the program and discover what they plan to do with their expertise after graduation.

For Switzerland-based Brand Developer and Strategic Consultant, Simon Joseph, luxury brands and hospitality have always been a passion; but up until now not his profession. After completing his Diploma in Marketing, Communications and Advertising in South Africa in 2000, Simon went on to enjoy a stellar global career in the consumer goods and retail industries, working with internationally renowned brands. He now runs his own consultancy.

“Over the previous 20 years my career has covered most of the globe,” he says. “It has been a great honor to have been part of building and developing global power brands such as Ponds, Lifebuoy, Vaseline, Glow & Lovely, Dove, Huggies and Heinz. I currently run my own marketing, sustainability and digital transformation consultancy in Zürich. I thoroughly enjoy working with some of Switzerland’s progressive and amazing start-ups that are set for a great future.”

Why the Executive Master’s?

Featuring four leadership-focused distance learning modules of 12 weeks’ each, plus a real-world Business Research Project, the Executive Master’s is a flexible, part-time degree specifically designed for working managers looking to level-up or shift pathways. For Simon, it was both aspects that attracted him to the program.

“My passion has always been for luxury brands, hospitality, food and travel. I have always had an enormous yearning for traveling and immersing myself into local cultures and traditions, being fortunate enough to travel to 84 countries and live in five.

“I always imagined myself leading an aspirational brand associated with quality, status and luxury. I believed that one day I would achieve this by building a global chain of exclusive hotels. I specifically chose the Glion Executive Masters in Luxury Management and Guest Experience because I believe that the exceedingly focused curriculum, knowledgeable professors as well as the association with luxury industry leaders will enable me to successfully transition into the luxury industry and pursue my dreams.”

Offering academic content designed to meet the evolving demands placed on an industry leader, including digital transformation, sustainability and customer behavior, the Executive Masters was the perfect program to help Simon bring his existing experience and expertise in line with his desired new direction. “The Executive Master’s in Luxury Management and Guest Experience will be pivotal in transforming my experience and thinking from consumer goods into luxury. It will position me to achieve my goal and take my career to a whole new level.”

The power of continuous education

Another key driving force behind Simon’s decision to enroll was his commitment to lifelong learning. Indeed, his appetite for education has already seen him follow up his original Diploma with further qualifications in Digital Transformation, Brand Leadership and most recently Sustainable Leadership from the University of Cambridge.

“I have a tremendous thirst for knowledge, I have always been a firm believer that people should never stop learning, whether it is through formal education, on the job or simply through being receptive to experiences in life.

“There will always be people with similar experiences and global knowledge, but one key aspect that I keep in mind is the need to create your own space. You have to differentiate and set yourself apart from the crowd by developing your own unique selling proposition through continuous education. This is even more relevant in today’s competitive private sector.”

Leveling-up luxury

After completing the 12-month Executive Master’s, Simon intends to use his newly-developed expertise to support the growth of digitally connected and sustainable luxury brands. “Whether it be a start-up or an existing global brand in the luxury fashion, beauty or hospitality industries, I see myself at the forefront of creating a paradigm shift in luxury brand development and building brands with purpose in sustainability.

“For now though, I look forward to engulfing and immersing myself for the next 12 months into a whole new world and broadening my professional network. Being exposed to and learning from current industry leaders and lecturers who have invaluable insights, theoretical knowledge and practical know-how.”

Photo credits:

Main image – gianliguori/Getty
Beach vista image – TonTectonix/Getty