Corinthia mindset ‘quite unique’ – Bernold Schroeder

Bernold Schroeder has joined Corinthia Group as a consultant after three decades at the top of global hospitality, praising the Maltese hotel chain as “very focused, very hands-on, family-oriented, and deeply committed to each asset.”

Mr Schroeder served as CEO of Kempinski Group from 2020 to 2024, having joined the German luxury hospitality group in 2017 as COO of its European operations.

Prior to that, he held leadership positions in Jin Jiang, Pan Pacific and Banyan Tree.

Mr Schroeder said he came to appreciate Corinthia through its London hotel and his connection to CEO Simon Naudi through the Global Hotel Alliance.

“When I was approached, it felt like a natural fit.”

Drawing on his experience across the Asian and European markets, Mr Schroeder said Corintha’s “owner-led mentality under the stewardship of a strong chairman” and “humility that’s rare in luxury” remind him “more of an Asian company than a European one in its mindset.”

“That combination – entrepreneurial thinking with a strong sense of ownership – was a big attraction for me.”

Commenting on Corinthia’s positioning within the luxury market, the experienced executive said its strength lies in its attention to each property: “Each hotel is treated like an individual asset, almost like a child. You don’t have hundreds running around; you focus on a smaller number and look after them properly. That’s how you protect long-term value.

“Owners choose Corinthia as an operator because it thinks like an owner, even when acting as an operator. That mindset is quite unique, and it’s why you see high-quality partners coming in.”

The company still owns many hotels, but recent years have seen it grow its footprint – and its reputation – as an operator.

“There’s room for both approaches, but what matters is maintaining the ownership mindset,” says Mr Schroeder.

“Even if you’re asset-light, you have to think long-term: about returns, about the asset, about the owner’s perspective. That’s where many operators fall short. Corinthia’s strength is that it understands the full picture. That shouldn’t be diluted.”