Les Roches brought together over 220 alumni for a global reunion in Marbella, featuring masterclasses, networking, and awards. The event connected graduates from over 40 nationalities across three days of professional exchange.
Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, opened the gathering, reflecting on the institution’s relationship with its graduates. He said, “It is an honor to welcome you back to what was, and always will be, your home, now that you have become the professionals you once dreamed of being.”
Professional Development and Networking
The three-day programme combined masterclasses, business networking, and social events, providing opportunities for alumni to reconnect and exchange perspectives on the industry’s future. Saturday’s programme focused on professional development, with masterclasses exploring leadership, entrepreneurship, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on hospitality.
Nicole King of Good Morning Spain addressed authenticity and personal ethics, while Dr Aura Imbarus explored identity and life journeys. Dr Michael Bormann examined leadership and entrepreneurship, and alumnus Shitij Gupta discussed evolving career opportunities within the industry.
Awards and Recognition
During the opening presentation, Hassan Djeebet received the Alumni Appreciation Award in recognition of 30 years of dedication, service, and commitment to Les Roches and its students. On Saturday evening, Carlos Díez de la Lastra received the Alumni Distinguished Impact Award for his leadership and contribution to the alumni community.
A business fair also gave companies associated with the alumni community an opportunity to present their projects and develop potential collaborations. For Mano Soler, Managing Director of Les Roches Marbella, the reunion offered a valuable connection between graduates and current students.
A Global Professional Community
The gathering reflected the reach of a Les Roches alumni network that comprises over 17,000 active professionals across over 140 countries. Around one-third are entrepreneurs, with interests spanning luxury hospitality, boutique hotels, restaurants, tourism innovation, technology, and wellness.
The network maintains connections between graduates and the institution throughout their careers, supported by the Careers4Life programme and the Les Roches Alumni Executive Board, led by President James Ramsden. In Marbella, those connections took a practical form: sharing experience, exploring business opportunities, and bringing different generations of hospitality professionals back together.
As the institution’s alumni network continues to grow, events like the global reunion will play a significant role in helping alumni connect and drive innovation within the hospitality industry. The reunion demonstrated the lasting connections within the Les Roches alumni community, with many participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and exchange perspectives on the industry’s future.
