EHL Appoints Chen Bao to Lead Singapore Campus and Drive Asia-Pacific Growth
CHEN BAO
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Singapore, 15 September 2025 – EHL, hospitality and business education group, ranked the world's best university for hospitality and leisure management for the sixth consecutive year, today announced the appointment of alumnus Chen Bao as the new Managing Director for the EHL Campus (Singapore), as of 1 October 2025. In his new role, Bao will spearhead the strategic transformation of the Singapore campus into a dynamic hub for hospitality innovation and talent development across Asia.
The appointment comes as the hospitality industry faces a significant talent shortage, not just in Singapore but worldwide. Bao’s leadership will focus on preparing a new generation of "future-ready" graduates equipped to navigate the sector's evolving challenges, from high operational costs to the integration of AI and technology.
"I am honoured to lead the next chapter for EHL in Asia. This is a rare opportunity to shape a campus that brings Swiss excellence to one of the most dynamic markets in the world, all while fostering an entrepreneurial and future-facing spirit," said Chen Bao.
"My vision is to build a multi-engine campus that not only delivers high-impact academic programmes for our students but also serves as a regional reference for executive education. More than just a school, EHL will also provide innovative solutions to our industry partners across Asia-Pacific.
Bao’s vision for the Singapore campus is built on a diversified growth model focused on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Beyond enhancing existing student mobility programmes, he will expand the campus’s offerings to include executive education and joint programmes. This encompasses collaborations with renowned business schools in the region and consultancy services for regional partners.
Another major initiative is EHL’s Singapore Innovation Hub, established in collaboration with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). Based at EHL Campus Singapore, the Hub is designed as a dynamic platform for open innovation, cross-border collaboration and applied research in hospitality, tourism and extended service industries. Strategically located in Singapore, it connects academia, industry and public stakeholders to co- create solutions, while also supporting regional projects such as HLTU in Hainan and advancing new models in sustainability, digital transformation and tourism innovation.
Prof. Markus Venzin, CEO of EHL group, commented, "Singapore is the regional benchmark for hospitality innovation and a strategic gateway to Asia. EHL is deeply committed to supporting the nation's agenda for talent development and lifelong learning, and this appointment marks a significant step in that direction. Chen’s extensive experience in hospitality operations and investment, combined with his proven success building our presence in China, makes him the ideal leader to drive our regional strategy and deepen our collaboration with Singapore."
An EHL graduate himself, Chen’s impressive career began in hotel operations with the Four Seasons group before he moved into hospitality investment consulting with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in China. He later served as VP of Hospitality for a major real estate developer, overseeing the entire life cycle of hotel projects from design and development to operations. In 2014, he joined EHL to establish the group’s first international office in China, building the team from the ground up.
Addressing the challenges faced by graduates in today's job market, Chen added, "Hospitality is more than a profession; it’s a mindset built on transferable skills like empathy, teamwork, and resilience. We prepare our graduates by instilling a tolerance for change and a deep understanding of why hospitality matters. For any student who leads with heart and stays curious, this industry will take them far."
This vision strongly aligns with the national priorities outlined in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's recent National Day Rally speech, which highlighted the critical need for continuous upskilling, technological innovation, and a human- centric approach to workforce development. EHL is uniquely positioned to support this agenda. The school focuses on lifelong learning, advanced technology, and a core philosophy of human-centric service excellence to drive Singapore’s hospitality industry and its next generation of leaders.
About EHL:
EHL – originally founded as Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne – is the global leader in hospitality and business education with 4,000+ students from more than 120 nationalities across 3 campuses in Switzerland and Singapore.
Our holistic approach to education, a hallmark of the Swiss system, seamlessly integrates academic rigor with hands-on experience and a deep commitment to human connection. At EHL, we educate hearts, hands, and minds. Within our two institutions we shape confident, versatile, and resilient leaders for careers in hospitality and wider experience-driven sectors:
-EHL Hospitality Business School, accredited by AACSB, NECHE and consistently ranked at the top of its field, offering undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs that deliver practical leadership, strategy, and operational insights.
- EHL School of Practical Arts, providing vocational and professional programs in hospitality, boasting expertise from 6 “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” and an awarded and Michelin-starred academic restaurant.
For more than 130 years, we have been committed to leading innovation in the hospitality and services industry with a focus on emotional intelligence and business acumen. At EHL, education is more than knowledge – it’s a transformative experience shared by a community of 30,000 passionate Alumni, who redefine excellence wherever they go. #EHLFamily
About Chen Bao
Chen Bao is the Managing Director, EHL Campus (Singapore) & Business Development, Asia-Pacific. He leads the strategic transformation of the EHL Campus (Singapore) into a dynamic hub for hospitality innovation, talent development, and executive education across the Asia-Pacific region.
An EHL alumnus himself (Class of 2004), Chen rejoined the EHL Group in 2014 to establish and lead its first international office in China, building the team and operations from the ground up. Prior to this, he built an extensive career across the hospitality sector, beginning with hotel operations at the Four Seasons group before moving into investment consulting with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. He also served as the VP of Hospitality for a major real-estate developer, where he managed the full life cycle of hotel projects.
Chen’s expertise spans hotel management, real estate investment, and strategic business development, driven by a deep passion for both hospitality and education.