The Insider Podcast by Glion

Bashar Wali: confessions of a hotel addict

“We mistakenly think we're in the service business; we're in the hospitality business. Wrong. We are in the retail business.”

When Bashar Wali opens up about the hospitality industry, it pays to listen.

Insider Podcast host Martin Green did just that, when he had the pleasure of Bashar’s company in London a few weeks back. And now you have the chance to explore the mind of a true hospitality original, in our most fearless and fun episode yet!

Challenge your preconceptions, see the guest experience from a different angle, and discover Bashar’s “neurotic” and notorious approach to hotel stays…

Don’t forget to check out the first six episodes of The Insider Podcast, which you can find on the same platforms as this one.

Inside Accor - Europe's biggest hotel company

“When you are in travel and tourism, you're really, really aiming to provide the best service and the best guest experience, because that is what is going to create loyalty.”

Accor sits at hospitality’s global top table, and its growth over recent decades has been nothing short of phenomenal. In this episode of The Insider Podcast, we offer a unique glimpse into the organization’s engine room, courtesy of Group Chief Financial Officer, Martine Gerow.

This is a podcast with a difference, as we sat Martine in front of a live audience of Glion students. Prompted by regular host Martin Green, she talked candidly about the challenges of the CFO role, how Accor intends to deliver its strategic objectives, and her own highly distinctive career journey, which had true love as one of its driving forces…

If you enjoy this conversation, make sure to check out the first five episodes of The Insider Podcast, where we talk entrepreneurship, hospitality, luxury and longevity with more inspiring individuals.

Helen Brocklebank: Giving a voice to British luxury

“This sector is the most beautiful, joy-bringing, glamorous, gorgeous, happiness-making thing of all.”

Think you are passionate about your job? Wait until you meet Helen Brocklebank, star of Episode 5 of The Insider Podcast.

As CEO of Walpole – the voice of British luxury – Helen enlightens host Martin Green across a variety of hot button topics, from Trump to tax-free shopping. And there’s an unmissable section on the very real threat posed by AI technology to the UK’s intellectual property (IP) protections; an issue which has prompted public interventions by music legend Sir Elton John and author Kate Mosse, among others.

Get yourself up to speed with an £81 billion sector that plays a vital role in projecting ‘Brand Britain’ to the world stage, as well as accounting for 450,000 high quality jobs from master craftsmen to marketeers.

And if you enjoy this conversation, make sure to listen to the first four episodes of The Insider Podcast, where we talk entrepreneurship, luxury retail, hospitality, and longevity with some truly inspiring individuals.

Simone Gibertoni: where luxury meets longevity

"You need human to change human."

The words of Simone Gibertoni, CEO of Clinique La Prairie, the legendary Swiss longevity clinic known for its science driven programs and holistic approach to wellbeing in mind and body.

Tread with us the same corridors frequented by famous statesmen, Hollywood stars, business leaders, and others who make this exquisite setting on the shores of Lake Geneva their home for a week of personal transformation.

We explore what the ‘human-to-human’ dynamic really means in the context of health, transformation, and leadership. From pioneering cellular therapy to building a culture of exceptional care, our new podcast episode brings to life how Clinique La Prairie is redefining wellness, one deeply personalized journey at a time.

Are you ready to make the changes needed to live longer and better?

The hotel: past, present and future - with Alex Slors

Join host Martin Green as he visits Glion’s London campus to chat with Alex Slors, a vastly experienced hotelier who is Program Director for our Master’s in Real Estate, Finance and Hotel Development. 

Alex shares fascinating stories from his decades as the sharp end of international hospitality, revealing his passion for the hotel industry and what makes it such a dynamic, living business.  

From humble beginnings in Indonesia to major career breakthroughs in Amsterdam and London, Alex’s journey is as inspiring as it is insightful.  

Sharòn Cohen Moore: Crafting Experiences in Luxury Retail

In Episode 2 of The Insider Podcast, host Martin Green sits down with Sharòn Cohen Moore, an expert who has shaped the evolution of luxury retail. Through his work for brands like Prada, Burberry and Fendi, Sharòn has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the luxury store. 

Whether you’re in the luxury industry or passionate about retail design, Sharòn’s insights offer a fresh perspective on how brands are blending creativity with commerce to build memorable customer experiences.  

Dead Sea Dream come true: Louise Lisztman's entrepreneurial journey

Episode 1 of The Insider Podcast features a spirited and passionate Glion alumna named Louise Lisztman, who has single-handedly created a new skincare brand called Dead Sea Dream. Martin Green explores that entrepreneurial journey with Louise – charting the trials and triumphs that characterize the entrepreneurial life.

The Insider Podcast – Introduction

The Insider Podcast is dedicated to the art of conversation.

In each episode, host Martin Green will sit down with a special guest to explore aspects of the multi trillion dollar global experience economy, which has been Glion’s academic focus for more than six decades.

Guests can be CEOs, entrepreneurs, visionary thinkers, industry commentators and academics. They’ll be drawn from hospitality, luxury, wellness and anywhere else we find insights and inspiration.

The only requirement for our guests is to talk freely about their area of expertise, their professional lives, and any other topics that these candid conversations bring up.

The Insider Podcast is a production of Glion Institute of Higher Education – www.glion.edu