#244: Rachid ‘Ben’ Bengougam – Senior Vice President Human Resources EMEA at Hilton
Podcast Details
Ben Bengougam is Senior Vice President, Human Resources, EMEA, Hilton. Based in the UK, he is responsible for leading the Human Resources function across the region, which includes over 60,000 team members in 70 countries & territories. He joined the company in 2010 with a European remit, and following this had his responsibilities widened to include Middle East and Africa.
Ben and his team have successfully developed and executed a series of award-winning people strategies to address challenges including talent acquisition and team member engagement and retention, as well as launching innovative and skills development and employability programmes for young people. Under his stewardship, Hilton has also gained consistent recognition from Great Places to Work, in which Hilton ranks among the top 10 in 12 countries across EMEA, including #1 rankings in the UK Italy and Turkey.
Ben is a BSc engineering science graduate and has also obtained a Master’s Degree in HR Development. He is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. With more than 30 years’ experience in human resources, Ben has worked in a range of high-profile positions, including Group HR Director at the Dixons Group and HR Director at leading Middle Eastern franchise operator MH Alshaya.
Of French-Algerian descent, Bengougam speaks French and English to native level and is conversational in Arabic, Spanish and Italian.