It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President of Hilton in Middle East, Africa & Turkey and a valued member of our Industry Advisory Board. Jochem-Jan, affectionately known as JJ, was an inspiring and energetic industry leader with a warm-hearted commitment to education and the new generation of hospitality talent.
Jochem-Jan joined our Industry Advisory Board in 2022 and quickly became an integral part of the team. His expertise and insight were invaluable in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring that we remain relevant and effective in our industry.
A large number of our (former) students were privileged to receive his support and guidance while starting their careers in the hospitality industry. Jochem-Jan also initiated the impressive Middle East & Africa Future Leaders Challenge which we were proud to be a partner of earlier this year.
Throughout his career, Jochem-Jan demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence and a deep passion for his work. His energy and leadership inspired us all, and he will be sorely missed.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to JJ’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We will remember Jochem-Jan fondly and will honor his legacy by continuing to strive for excellence in our work, just as he did.