SHL alumnus Giles Zollinger found his passion during his education at SHL: Everything that evolved around debits and credits, financing and budgeting was of burning interest to him, and so financial management quickly became his favourite subject.
After SHL, Giles' career in the hotel industry really took off. And yet he decided relatively quickly to take a different path: as a business customer advisor at the Graubündner Kantonalbank, where he was able to deepen his financial knowledge and put his talent for customer care to perfect use. But what was the missing link? The connection to his roots, the hotel business.
Giles has been working for the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Hotelkredit- SGH for short - since August 2011. He has been part of the Executive Board and Head of Financing there since January 2021. «My goal is to help ensure that as many exciting and economically viable projects as possible can be implemented in the accommodation industry,» says Giles. Thus, he has found the perfect balance between finance and the hotel industry - and he has not lost his connection to SHL either. For several years, he has been passing on his knowledge to the next hospitality generation as a lecturer in the subjects «Controlling» and «Corporate Finance». All’s well that ends well!
Giles in the media eye:
First SHL day That was in November 1999 (!). I came to SHL wearing jeans and a T-shirt and I still regret that mistake even today.
The SHL is a launch pad (for many things)
Most beautiful moment There too many to mention...
I will never forget it! After hearing we had passed our exams; we went to the Hotel Gütsch and we hung up sheets over the letters. It was written: UFS 05
What I miss My companions - unfortunately, the contact with many of them has been lost.
What I like most about where I live - Zurich - is the Infrastructure and the Olé Olé bar.
Always in the fridge Pickled gherkins.
Relaxing after a hard day of Jogging and my bathtub
When I'm not working... I love to be in the mountains hiking or on a ski tour
Milestone(s) SHL, MAS, Lecturer SHL & my current job at SGH
My job in three words Challenging, varied & meaningful
Daily routine Coffee, mails, coffee, meetings and/or clients
Current projects Assistance in the revision of the Federal Act on the Promotion of the Accommodation Industry
I still want to achieve An exciting board mandate
Favourite restaurant Hatecke Zurich
Favourite hotel LluLlu Llama Mountain Lodge in Ecuador
Me as a guest Uncomplicated
I appreciate Purism & no frills (F&B as well as in accommodation)
No-Go Hand dryer
This should change Appreciation of employees
Makes me laugh My parents' dogs
Last holiday destination Puglia
Dream holiday destination Patagonia
EarwormDon't stop me now (Queen)
Discovery Sound healing
I wish I could... sing