Paul Hiriart

VP Business Development – Asia Pacific  (China) 

Areas of Expertise

• Strategic Advisory
• Development & Asset Management
• ESG Advisory
• Operational Advisory

Professional Biography

Paul is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 18 years of experience across financial consulting and hotel operations, including 8 years at Club Med, where he most recently served as Vice President of Operations for North Asia. Based in Shanghai, Paul led multi-resort operations, brand repositioning, and regional expansion strategies, particularly in Greater China and Japan. He played a key role in growing Club Med’s footprint in Asia, optimising performance across mountain and beach resorts, and elevating brand standards in alignment with parent company Fosun Tourism Group.

Paul’s career began at Ernst & Young, where he spent almost a decade in audit and advisory services. Combining analytical rigour with operational leadership, he brings a cross-functional skill set that bridges hospitality strategy, development, and execution. His approach is deeply people-focused, with a strong track record in crisis management, pre-opening planning, and guest-centric transformation.

Qualifications

Paul holds a Master’s degree in Management and Finance and has extensive training in sustainability, HACCP, and food safety. He is fluent in French, English, and conversational German and Mandarin.

Passions

Paul has an obvious passion for travel and has made Asia the heart of his life and explorations. He loves walking with his dogs, staying active through regular exercise, and discovering new culinary experiences or diving into unexpected cultural worlds that always leave him inspired.