Profile

Carlos Díez de la Lastra

Chief Executive Officer
Les Roches

Recognized by Forbes Travel as one of the 50 most influential figures in tourism and among the top 150 tourism professionals in Spain, he brings nearly three decades of experience in higher education and international expansion. As CEO of Les Roches since March 2022, Carlos oversees the institution’s international campuses in Switzerland, Spain, the UAE, and China, along with an affiliated campus near New Delhi. Les Roches, founded in Switzerland in 1954, is ranked among the world’s top five institutions in hospitality and leisure management. His leadership focuses on driving the school's global expansion and strengthening its reputation as a worldwide leading institution in hospitality management education. Under his leadership, Les Roches has embarked on an ambitious plan of international expansion and has positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in the Hospitality sector. Prior to his current role, Carlos served as Managing Director of Les Roches Marbella (2014–2022), where he played a pivotal role in the institution’s expansion and global recognition. His career also includes executive positions at Universidad Europea de Madrid and Universidad Europea de Canarias within the Laureate International Universities network. Beyond his work at Les Roches, Carlos actively contributes to the industry through various executive boards, foundations, and expert groups. He is a member of the UN Tourism Online Education Committee and has advised key industry initiatives, including Costa del Sol Tourism’s crisis response strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sought-after speaker at international conferences, Carlos is known for his deep understanding of market trends and strong connections with industry leaders. He holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Complutense University of Madrid and an MBA from IEDE Business School.