Frits Van Paasschen

The former CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Coors Brewing Company, and Nike’s President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Frits enables audiences to understand what is disrupting the status quo, and how businesses can evolve to thrive in changing environments

AA: £25k +

Keynote Speakers Business, Leadership

Passionate about advising boards and c-suite management on strategic direction, Frits Van Paasschen addresses audiences on change management and delivers a clear path for businesses to achieve success in turbulent times.

An author, and former CEO, Frits has served at the helm of Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Coors Brewing Company, and was formerly Nike’s President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Frits developed a wealth of knowledge from his time working across board level. A Non-Executive Director at Barclays (FTSE) and as a member of the Board of Directors of two NYSE-listed companies, Jones Apparel and Oakley, Frits has a deep understanding of the challenges large incorporations.

While at Nike, Frits served as Chairman of the European-American Industrial Council, and he later served on the boards of the U.S.-India and U.S.-China business councils, as well as The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority, and The Center for Environmental Leadership in Business at Conservation International.

His current activities include a Senior Advisor role at private equity firm TPG Capital, and is on the Board of Directors for Williams-Sonoma and Royal DSM (public companies), and Apollo Hotels and Convene (privately owened companies).

Frits publised 'The Disruptors’ Feast' examining just what is challenging the status quo and how businesses can evolve and thrive in changing environments.

Frits holds a BA in Economics and Biology from Amherst College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. At Harvard, he was also a Teaching Fellow in Economics. Originally from the Netherlands, Frits holds dual U.S. and Dutch citizenship. A passionate traveler, he speaks five languages and has visited more than 110 countries. In his free time, he enjoys endurance sports, including marathons and triathlons. He has been married 25 years and has three children.

His thirty years of experience inside global companies has afforded him a unique perspective on the current trends that are impacting business around the world and is a voice which resonates with audiences long after they have left the event.