Meet Ben Corser
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Ben Corser Channel Sales Director, Asia Pacific RSA HSE EMBA Alumni (1st in Academic Standing 2008) |
Per Aquum Luxury Resorts and Spa’s are carving out a niche in the global market. An alternative to the factory-style assembled lines of existing global luxury hotel chains. Each of our properties are bespoke – born from an original concept and bought to life through Per Aquum’s passion, imagination, ‘naturally modern’ design and visionary action. With current operating locations in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Caribbean and Seychelles, our vision is to expand our collection into these regions as well as India, South East Asia, Middle East, Latin America and East Africa.
As Managing Director of Per Aquum I am responsible for the overall operations of the company including all P&L responsibility for existing properties and those under construction. I manage and am supported by a strong team of hotel ‘General Managers’ as well as the Per Aquum Group Directors across all functions that support the business.
What's your background in a nutshell?
I started with Per Aquum in June 2007 and am based in Singapore. In my role as the Managing Director for Resorts and Spas I report directly to CEO Tom McLoughlin.
I am Australian by nationality, and have a hotel management background with top management positions in hotel operations both in Australia and in the UK. I have also worked as a strategist in channel and retail distribution with companies like Nokia, Microsoft and Johnson & Johnson.
I completed my initial studies at College Tourism and Hotel Management in Brisbane, and now recently graduated from Helsinki School of Economics EMBA.
Why did you decide to participate in HSE's Executive MBA program, and when exactly did you complete it?
The decision to participate was a long thought out one. At the time my wife (Sue) was 6 months pregnant with our first child (I have two now, Ava 22 months ad Luca 12 weeks) and I had just started a new role so probably not the best timing but I was committed as I kept asking myself if not now, when? As the Managing Director of a company with operations around the globe it is critical for the success of the company that I understand the nuances and changes in economic business strategy across the world. The international business landscape across all industries is evolving very rapidly relative to the previous few decades, faster now than ever before. We are in this era of new growth and expansion of new economies and emerging markets which are having a profound impact on the way we think operate, innovate and invigorate our business moving forward.
To help me develop the tools I (and the company) need to survive in this evolving business environment I explored the various EMBA programs available. There are a number of good and reputable programs available. I reviewed them all and I choose the HSE Executive MBA program for two reasons.
1) The course content reflected best on the areas of changes in the concepts of current competitive business modeling and financial management with a solid curriculum covering specific economic and strategic business management subjects that are targeted at developing senior to executive managers business acumen skills.
2) The Faculty selected represent a very strong cross section of highly qualified and experienced professors and academics from around the world from the leading business schools and universities, many of which have produced the world’s most successful businessmen, company leaders and entrepreneurs of recent times.
On review of the course content and the faculty, the decision was not difficult. The HSE Executive MBA program was right for me.
I completed the program in November 2007.
How has the Executive MBA degree benefited you in your career?
It has helped me in realizing my potential both professionally and personally. It has made me think about business strategy, innovation and competitive advantage in new ways that allow me to manage myself and my company forward with a higher degree of probability for continued success and leading market position in a rapidly evolving global business environment. The goal posts are moving all the time. This program has provided many key tools that will allow me to make relevant balanced business decisions and take actions quickly to respond to our changing competitive landscape.