On behalf of the US investment company Apollo Global Management, Willem van der Zee has been made responsible for managing the Lapithus Hotel Management GmBH at the Frankfurt stock exchange. As of February 1, the 47-year-old top manager and experienced hotelier will head the portfolio which includes 18 Hotels in six European countries. As Managing Director, van der Zee will be responsible for day-to-day business, consolidation as well as expansion in Europe.
Willem van der Zee previously held the position of Area Vice President Central Europe for the Rezidor Hotel Group and is now joining the listed American investment and holding company Apollo Global Management. Since 2012, in his previous position at Rezidor the Dutch manager was instrumental to the success of the top hotel brand Radisson Blu and for the young mid-range brand Park Inn by Radisson, primarily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In total, van der Zee managed the day-to-day business and operation of around 48 hotels in eleven Western and Eastern European countries. He possesses the corresponding extensive experience and comprehensive knowledge of global hotel management, and of leading international teams across national borders in an environment of rapid growth in an international market.
Willem van der Zee studied Hotel Management at the Plantijn University College in Antwerp, and successfully completed further training seminars at the Management Center Europe in Brussels and at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. After professional roles in the Netherlands, Belgium and England, he joined the Rezidor Hotel Group in 1998. His career initially began as General Manager in several 5-star houses. These included the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel and the Radisson EU Hotel in Brussels, the Radisson Blu Balmoral Hotel and the Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in Spa. In 2009, Willem van der Zee was appointed District Director for the Benelux region. Only one year later, his area of responsibility was expanded to include France and, in 2012, Central Europe.
Willem van der Zee states,”After 16 wonderful years with the Rezidor Hotel Group, I have decided to accept a new professional challenge.”
