Howard Bennett

Skills

• Opening specialist: Successfully opened seven hotels in Asia; experienced with owner relations, FF&E/OS&E, contractor coordination, SOPs, pre-opening recruitment, and soft opening to commercial ramp.
• Proven Shanghai track record: 14+ years as MD of a major luxury hotel in Shanghai; experienced hosting foreign ministers, royalty and VIPs — strong local protocol knowledge.
• Resident + work-ready: British national holding a Chinese 5-Star Green Card — no visa or work-permit obstacles; immediate availability for full operational responsibilities.
• Commercial results orientation: Hands-on P&L management, F&B optimisation and revenue management with a focus on ADR, occupancy mix and profitable group vs transient balance.
• Leadership & training: Long history of coaching and certifying teams (TEFL, AHLEI Certified Hotel Educator/Trainer), building talented local leadership and reducing turnover through career pathways.
• Brand alignment & guest experience: Experienced in translating global brand standards into locally-relevant service propositions that resonate with Chinese and international guests.
• Crisis resilience & operational robustness: Led teams through major disruptions (including Shanghai lockdowns), maintaining guest safety, cashflow control and reputation management.
• Stakeholder diplomacy: Regular liaison with government departments, owners and brand offices — skilled at aligning competing priorities to drive timely decisions.

About

As a British national and long-term Shanghai resident holding a Chinese 5-Star Green Card, I possess a deep understanding of the Chinese hospitality landscape, labour regulations, and cultural nuances. I am immediately available to take on full operational responsibilities, working closely with Lux* Collective’s corporate team to ensure the Shanghai launch reflects the brand’s distinctive blend of elegance, authenticity, and contemporary luxury.