Willem van der Zee

Director of Operations Belgium & Germany Pandox. Founder of Willem & Too, Former board member at Yust Ex-Group COO of Event Hotels, MD of Lapithus hotel management and Area Vice President of Radisson Hotels

Antwerp, Flemish Region, Belgium

About

Dare to Choose! Willem & too is born out of a genuine people leader's conviction to define concepts at the business that speak of collaboration, collective success and a "never quit"attitude. TOO ( Touch of Orange) is our promise of Togetherness, Ownership, Opportunities. Willem van der Zee embodies innovative and personalized hospitality. He has helped numerous leading global hospitality, lifestyle, and travel companies streamline and optimize their vital business aspects like Operations Management, Asset Management, and People Management. A pragmatic decision maker, he puts passion and perseverance into the process to accomplish the set goals. He is a disruptive leader-driven by results, driven towards objectives and driven with unflinching focus.

Experience

  • President Brussels Hotels Association at Brussels Hotels Association (BHA)
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    « Il est essentiel de renforcer, toujours et encore, l'importance de l'impact économique du tourisme sur la Région de Bruxelles Capitale et de son hinterland. De par ses investissements et sa croissance reconnue depuis de nombreuses années, l'Hôtellerie est créatrice des emplois diversifiés dont Bruxelles a un besoin criant. Des emplois jeunes et porteurs d'espoir car insensibles à la délocalisation et à la robotisation . L'impact économique du tourisme est une chance pour notre région. Il implique l'ensemble de la population, l'ensemble des forces vives de la région unies pour défendre la Capitale de l'Europe comme destination incontournable aux yeux du monde.» ******************************************************************** het is essentieel dat het belang en de economische impact van het toerisme binnen het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest en zijn hinterland voortdurend versterkt worden. Dankzij investeringen en een jarenlange gestage groei, creëert de hotelsector een verscheidenheid aan banen waar Brussel nood aan heeft. Jonge en hoopdragende banen die niet vatbaar zijn voor delocalisatie en robotisering. De economische impact van het toerisme is een kans voor ons gewest. Dit belangt de gehele bevolking en alle stuwende krachten van het gewest aan, verenigd om de Europese hoofdstad te verdedigen als niet te missen bestemming in de ogen van de wereld."

  • Founder at Willem&Too
    Dec 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 7 mos

    Leadership for a renewed world! With fact-based ideas and experience-backed solutions for hospitality, lifestyle and travel sector- Willem&too is a specialized eco-system, led by Willem van der Zee, who style, scale and sustain high performing operations in Hotel Management, Asset Management and People Management.

  • Director of Operations at Pandox
    Sep 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 10 mos

    Director of Operations Belgium & Germany for Pandox AB and until end Dec 2025 General Manager The Hotel Brussels. Focus on adding value by (among others) building sustainable practices with a truly unique hotel experience for all of our guests, together with an incredible dedicated and passionate team.

  • Non Executive Board Member at YUST
    Jul 2019 - Dec 2025 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    YUST combines short and long-term stays, events, food and culture, located in creative and emerging neighbourhoods. If you’re looking to connect with likeminded people, love discovering new food, art or music and enjoy inspiring talks & exhibitions. We may yust be what you’re looking for. Enrich your mind, feed your knowledge and connect with others. TALK TO STRANGERS.

  • Group COO; Chief Operating Officer at Event Hotels
    Aug 2019 - Nov 2020 · 1 yr 4 mos

    EVENT Hotels operates more than 85 business and city hotels in Germany and rest of Europe under the names of various renowned international hotel brands.