June 5, 2025

#300 Greg Früchtenicht COO at Saira Hospitality - Transforming Lives Through Hospitality

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In this episode, the guest is Greg from Saira Hospitality, an organization dedicated to transforming the hospitality industry by helping local communities find meaningful employment. Greg discusses the origins of Saira Hospitality, which was founded by Harsha L'Acqua with a revolutionary idea to hire local talent for luxury resorts, avoiding the conventional practice of flying in staff or poaching from nearby operators. The conversation delves into Saira Hospitality's pop-up hospitality school model that partners with hotels to train local community members, focusing on life skills and operational training. Greg shares his journey of joining the organization and his role in expanding its impact, particularly in London. He emphasizes the importance of personal interaction in recruitment and how Saira Hospitality screens candidates meticulously to ensure they are a good fit for the operators they partner with. The episode also touches on the benefits for operators, including lower turnover rates and a more engaged, diverse workforce. Greg offers advice for leaders looking to make a positive impact in their communities and shares personal insights into balancing a demanding career with family life.

Connect with Ben:

https://www.sairahospitality.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fr%C3%BCchtenicht-8070569a/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harsha-l-acqua-9719877/

Books:

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9781529146813

Life on Earth:

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9780008368357

Born To Run:

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8596/9781861978776

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