Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels CEO Benjamin Vuchot reflects on three decades in luxury retail—and his love for beekeeping

On the role luck has played in his success, Vuchot says: “What I believe in more is encounters. Through curiosity and nurturing relationships, you get exposed to things in life and then it’s up to you to embrace it.” This approach has served him well—what began as a six-month internship in Hong Kong back in 1994 evolved into a distinguished career spanning continents and brands.

He also credits his wife, Claire Hsu, with playing a foundational role in his professional journey. “Over 20 years, I’ve been very fortunate to have Claire by my side, to keep me on track, encourage me and sometimes hold me back and tell me to calm down,” he says. Similarly, he sees his team as an extension of his family. At Peninsula, Vuchot oversees nearly 8,000 employees globally, with more than 220 in the Hong Kong head office alone. His leadership philosophy emphasises collective strength: “I believe in the importance of being daring while also being incredibly respectful [of what my predecessors have built]”. This balance manifests itself in Peninsula’s daily operations through rituals that build team cohesion.

“There’s a beautiful routine in hospitality, which is the morning briefing,” Vuchot says. “At every hotel in the world before the team starts the day, everybody comes together to discuss the day ahead. That really sets the tone for how the team is going to work together.” One colleague’s practice particularly struck him— beginning briefings by asking staff if they have “a positive story that they want to share”, kicking off the day with words of encouragement. Witnessing this simple practice revealed its profound impact: “It lets people put their guard down. People can relate suddenly because they know something a bit more personal about their colleagues.”

Another of Vuchot’s sources of inspiration is far less obvious: beekeeping. When he turned 50, Hsu gave him beehives for their home in Portugal. The annual honey harvest proved revelatory: “The sound of the bees was almost meditative—some were attacking and some were just trying to protect the rest. I was mesmerised by the whole thing.” The parallels between bee colonies and hotel operations became clear to him. “It’s absolutely fascinating how organised these bees are. How every one of them has a role and every one supports each other.” The metaphor encapsulates his management philosophy: “In big hotels where we sometimes have 800 people working at a time, it becomes almost like a beehive. When it comes to dealing with situations, everybody comes together. It’s a celebration of unity.”

As Peninsula evolves under his guidance, Vuchot remains driven by curiosity and the understanding that in hospitality’s unpredictable landscape, success depends not on any one individual but on collective excellence. For the hotel brand’s guests and the broader Hong Kong luxury community, this “accidental hotelier” at the helm—one who understands both the power of tradition and the necessity of evolution—promises to honour the brand’s past while embracing whatever comes next. “It’s a very humbling experience to jump into the unknown,” he says.

NOW READ

David Beckham talks to Tatler about his family and future plans

Inside the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza: Tutankhamun’s gold mask, Ramses II’s statue and many more ancient treasures

These are the most iconic skylines in Asia—see if your city made the list