CEO Insights Magazine

The hospitality industry is a dynamic and competitive sector, where property owners grapple with numerous challenges in their pursuit of delivering exceptional guest experiences and operational excellence. From procurement and management to culinary concepts, the hospitality landscape demands multifaceted expertise to thrive. This is where FEBC, a distinguished full-service hospitality company, steps in as a trusted partner, offering invaluable support to asset owners. With a profound understanding of the industry's intricacies, FEBC employs a unique 360-degree approach to address diverse property owner needs, ensuring projects are equipped with top-quality products, adhere to budgets, and stay on schedule.

Leading FEBC with visionary expertise is Alessandro Maria Tedesco, an accomplished Business Leader and Chief Operating Officer of the company. His extensive knowledge in hospitality and residential contract sectors has led to successful projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Alessandro's leadership fuels FEBC's mission to bridge gaps in the hospitality industry by providing innovative 360-degree services, offering clients total peace of mind, and setting new standards of excellence.

Brief us about your professional background and what motivates your daily routines.

I have a diverse professional background, initially as a professional pilot and later in architecture. However, for the past 18 years, I've been deeply involved in the hospitality industry. In 2012, I joined FEBC as a partner, eventually becoming its COO in 2013. FEBC specializes in various services for the hospitality sector, including procurement, management, and trucking supply. We've expanded to cover preopening strategies for food and beverage concepts and offer comprehensive support to asset managers. My motivation comes from witnessing FEBC's growth from a small company to a global presence with nine offices worldwide, serving three continents in the hospitality industry. Seeing our team excel and gaining market recognition for our services is extremely rewarding.

How would you define FEBC's unique position and offerings in the market?

FEBC is a unique and versatile organization that offers comprehensive support to asset owners in the hospitality industry. Its 360-degree approach to managing hospitality assets allows it to provide a full-service approach, including procurement, delivery, and installation.

The team includes professionals from various fields, including architects, interior designers, former operators, finance experts, and those with manufacturing backgrounds. This multidisciplinary expertise adds value throughout the entire process, from item selection to Value Engineering, factory selection and more.

FEBC's capabilities in the food and beverage sector are significant. We offer end-to-end services for clients from feasibility studies on F&B outlets to delivery of complete culinary experiences, including branding, menu design, tableware, staff uniforms, food recipes, and more.

We also provide comprehensive support for preopening strategies, including procurement, F&B, preopening asset management, operational planning, and strategies for the first year of operations. FEBC's holistic approach to supporting clients in the hospitality industry makes it a unique and invaluable partner in the market.

Tell us about your leadership approach and guiding principles.

My leadership approach is grounded in empowerment. I grant my team the autonomy to execute tasks and manage budgets, which significantly enhances both individual and collective performance. At FEBC, we maintain strict governance, holding seven international ISO certifications across various aspects of our business. The primary directive for all teams is to adhere to these guidelines and continually strive for improvement.

In terms of workflow methodologies, my role is to serve as a reference point for team members, offering guidance and support whenever they encounter uncertainties during project execution. This ensures that they feel reassured and supported when senior-level assistance is required. Additionally, I believe in surrounding myself with experts in specific fields, recognizing that we can't be masters of everything. When you have a team of specialists, the overall success of the team is greatly enhanced.  

How do you stay current with industry trends to guide your organization forward?

I stay updated with ongoing industry trends through my involvement in advisory boards for international hotel forums, conferences, and conventions. This allows me to engage with industry peers and stay informed about emerging trends. Additionally, I regularly review industry research and studies published quarterly to ensure we are up-to-date. I'm fortunate to be part of think tanks focusing on futuristic hospitality and development projects, where I interact with seasoned professionals who have shaped the industry for decades both in Asia and Europe, providing valuable insights and perspectives.

What challenges do you encounter in your role, and how do you overcome them?

Challenges are a constant in my professional journey, and I view them as integral to personal and career growth. If a challenge is within my capacity to handle, I tackle it directly. However, when I encounter challenges that I feel uncertain about, I leverage the collective brainpower of my team. Challenges, big or small, become opportunities for growth and innovation when approached with the right mindset and a strong team.

What is the future destination you are headed towards?

For now, my primary destination is FEBC, both in my role and as an owner. The company is performing well, with a current focus on Europe, GCC, Africa, Central America, and some parts of Asia. However, our goal is to expand into North and South America, as well as Asia in a more substantial way. This expansion process may take a few years, but with our current global presence of nine offices and over 100 professionals, I believe it's very achievable within the next 24 to 36 months.

What are some of your favorite hobbies and pastimes?

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, sailing, and even flying, despite no longer being a professional pilot. I also like to indulge in a bit of golf. Family is a priority, and I savor Italian cuisine whenever I can. When it comes to travel, Istanbul stands out for its rich blend of cultures, and I'm captivated by the diversity it offers. As for destinations, I highly recommend the Dolomites, specifically the Lefay Resort Dolimiti, in Pinzolo. For reading, I'm drawn to Aristotle's philosophical works and the biography of Sergio Marchionne, the former CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. These pursuits enrich my life and keep me inspired.  

Alessandro Maria Tedesco, COO, FEBC

Alessandro Maria Tedesco, a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry drives innovation & successful project execution across Europe, the Middle East, & Asia, embodying FEBC's mission of pioneering comprehensive services in hospitality.