Theo Ocks, one of Accor’s luxury hotel leaders speaks to Renae on Where2FromHere.
Step into the refined world of five-star travel as Theo Ocks, one of the most innovative leaders in hospitality, sits down with renowned journalist and luxury consultant Renae Leith-Manos for the beloved Where2fromhere podcast.
This not-to-be-missed episode traverses continents, cultures, and career-defining moments, painting Ocks as the ultimate global citizen whose path has taken him from running an airline in Scotland to guiding iconic hotels in Singapore and beyond.
The conversation delves deep into the forces shaping luxury today, from the meticulous sales philosophy—“nothing happens until somebody sells something”—to the intricate art of assembling high-performance teams built on passion, character, and vision.
What truly sets this episode apart is its insider’s look at the world’s great hotels. Ocks shares candid stories about transforming wellness destinations through spa renovations and curated experiences, all while collaborating with Michelin-starred chefs and industry luminaries.
His expertise includes overseeing large-scale hospitality operations, such as more than 2,000 guestrooms and a dozen flagship food concepts at Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford. Ocks’ perspectives illuminate the fast-evolving Asian hospitality market, the nuanced dance between business and customer service, and the growing trend of personalised wellness in luxury travel—a theme brought to life by vivid examples of spa design, guest programming, and regionally inspired amenities.
But the episode is as much personal memoir as it is professional masterclass. Ocks reflects on what pulled him from aviation back to hospitality, recounts family birthday traditions, and shares how he remains grounded through a love of sports like padel and surfing—even as he adapts to new cultures from Ireland to Geneva and Indonesia.
With a gift for languages—he speaks six fluently—Ocks’s journey is emblematic of the truly international scope of contemporary luxury travel. His stories underscore what it means to leave a legacy—both in his industry, and for the next generation, including his own family.
Leith-Manos, whose own career has spanned decades and continents, brings an incisive interview style, drawing out themes of innovation, resilience, and global citizenship. As host of Where2fromhere, she amplifies the voices of visionaries and tastemakers reshaping what luxury means for travelers and professionals alike, and her deep knowledge of five-star resorts, wellness escapes, and hospitality design shines through every question.
For luxury travelers and hospitality insiders, this episode is an essential listen. It distills actionable wisdom, heartfelt anecdotes, and future-focused strategies that can inspire both industry veterans and curious globetrotters. Listen to Theo Ocks on Where2fromhere and gain rare, behind-the-scenes access to the passions and innovations defining luxury hospitality in the modern era—because the journey of discovery is what makes travel extraordinary.
Click below to hear the podcast conversation on YouTube:
