TOP
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS SHAPING
CAMBODIA’S
FUTURE –2025
FCC Angkor by Avani
General Manager
JACQUES JACQUES VARET
SHAPING HOSPITALITY
EXCELLENCE IN CAMBODIA
Editors Insights
Welcome to The Fortune Leader Special Edi on:
“Top Transforma onal Leaders Shaping Cambodia's Future 2025.”
In this exclusive edi on, we are honored to spotlight a leader whose work is redefining the future of hospitality in Cambodia: Jacques Varet, General Manager of FCC Angkor by Avani. His presence on our cover reflects not only his achievements, but also his influence in eleva ng the country's hospitality standards on the global stage.
Jacques exemplifies a modern era of leadership in hospitality one where crea ng meaningful experiences goes far beyond managing hotels. His career, sparked by an early admira on for the refined ethos of Relais & Châteaux and shaped through valuable experience working with Gordon Ramsay in London, has been built on passion, discipline, and a deep respect for cultural authen city. Today, his leadership at FCC is driven by a philosophy centered on empathy, sincerity, and forwardthinking crea vity
One of his hallmark achievements, the “Signature Local Spirit” ini a ve, perfectly captures this mindset. By championing Cambodian ar sans and local cra smanship, Jacques has cra ed a collec on of premium local spirits served proudly at the Scribe Bar. For him, hospitality becomes a narra ve a way to honor heritage, celebrate iden ty, and promote community advancement.
Yet, the core of his leadership lies in empowering people. Through con nuous learning opportuni es, shared decision-making, and strong professional development programs, Jacques nurtures a team that reflects Cambodia's vibrant spirit and growing poten al. His commitment to excellence, cultural apprecia on, and experien al innova on con nues to set new standards for the industry.
As Cambodia gains increasing global a en on, Jacques Varet stands at the forefron shaping a hospitality sector that is more inspired, more authen c, and more influen al than ever before.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor-in-chief
Sco Edward
Sales & Marke ng Manager
Lily Hayler
Business Development Manager
Lauren Green, Millie Butler, Rosie Jonas
Business Development Execu ve
Victoria Ma hews, Ashley Tucker
Art and Design Director
Paul Brown
Research Analyst
Robert Smith
10
Cover Story
JACQUES VARET
by Avani, General Manager
JACQUES VARET
InthevibrantheartofCambodia'sevolvinghospitality
landscape,fewleadersstandoutquitelikeJacques Varet,theGeneralManagerofFCCAngkor byAvaniHisleadershipismarkednotonlybyoperational excellencebutbyanunmistakablepassionforcreating experiencesthatresonaterootedinauthenticity,culture,and humanconnection.Jacquesrepresentsaneweraof hoteliers:aleaderwhoblendsglobalexpertisewithlocal immersion,transformingvisionintoinitiativesthatuplift bothguestsandcommunities.
AJourneyShapedbyPassion,Precision,andPurpose
Jacques'journeyintohospitalitybeganlongbeforeheever managedahotel.Asachild,hewasdeeplyinspiredby exclusiveweekendsspentwithhisfamilyatRelais& Chateauxhotelsandresortsexperiencesthatplantedinhim afascinationforservice,generosity,andtheartofcreating unforgettablemoments.
Thatearlyexposureinstilledbothambitionandhumility Determinedtocarvehisownpath,hepursuedahospitality educationuptothemaster'slevel,followedbyaMasterof WineintheRhoneValleyadisciplinethatrefinedhispalate andshapedhisunderstandingofcraftsmanship.Thisunique combinationofacademicrigorandsensorymasteryopened thedoorstohisfirstprofessionalmilestone:joiningGordon RamsayinLondonasaSommelier
Beingasommelier,however,wasonlythebeginning. Jacquesknewhebelongedinarolewherehecould influence,innovate,andinspire.“Ialwayswantedto becomeanactorofthechanges,”heoftenreflects.Forhim, leadershipwasnotatitlebutavehicleforimpact.Ittooka decadetenyearsoflearning,adapting,failing,improving, andmaturingbeforeherosetothepositionofGeneral Manager,ajourneythatgavehimtheconfidencetolead withpurposeandclarity
LeadershipBuiltonExperience,Empathy,andthe PursuitofExcellence
Jacquesdescribeshisleadershipphilosophyasdeeply humanandexperiential.Atitsheartliesasimplebut powerfulmission:tocreateexceptionalexperiencesfor guests.Thesmileofasatisfiedvisitor,thewarmthofa heartfeltcompliment,orthequietjoyofaguestdiscovering somethingnewthesemomentsfuelhim.
Heisguidedbyabeliefthathospitalityisnotmerely servicebutemotion.ForJacques,everydetailmatters:the qualityoftheproducts,theenthusiasmoftheteam,the authenticityofinteractions.Andthesedetailsmustreflect notjustthepropertybuttheculturesurroundingit.
Equallyimportanttohimishisconnectionwiththelocal community.Cambodia,withitsrichheritage,warmpeople, andabundantcreativity,hasbecomemorethanaworkplace itisacollaboration.Jacquesconstantlychallengeshisown ideas,pushesboundaries,andseekswaystoinnovate, alwaysasking:Howcanwedobetter?Howcanwereflect Cambodiamoremeaningfully?Thismindsetformsthe backboneofhisleadershipdynamic,reflective,and committedtocontinuousimprovement.
InnovatingThroughLocalIdentity:TheSpiritof Cambodia,Distilled
AmongthemanyinitiativesJacqueshaschampioned,the mostwidelycelebratedisthe“SignatureLocalSpirit” projectaboldandimaginativeundertakinggroundedin sustainability,communityempowerment,andcreativity
Comingfromthewineindustry,Jacquesunderstoodthe transformativepowerofbeveragesinshapingcultural identity YetCambodia,stillwithoutvineyards,relied heavilyonimportedspirits.Heenvisionedsomething different:alineofspiritsproduced100%locally,crafted togetherwiththecommunity,andshowcasedproudlyat FCC'siconicScribeBar
TheprojectbeganwithapartnershipwithSeekers,resulting inthefirstbespokeGin.Fromthere,momentumgrew.An HerbalKulenGinfollowed,thenaVodka,aRum,andnow thelatestcreationsettolaunchonDecember4th: “PARADOXbyHerbalKulen,”aprivate-collectionGin thatembodiessophistication,heritage,andinnovation.
Everyevening,guestsatFCCareinvitedtotastethese spirits,learningthestoriesbehindthemandunderstanding thecraftsmanshipthatflourisheswhenacommunityworks together Theinitiativeismorethanabeverageprogramit isastatementofidentity.FCCbecamethefirst establishmentinCambodiatofeaturesuchanextensive lineupoflocallyproduced,community-drivenspirit creations.
LeadingwithValues:Commitment,Development,and SharedVision
Jacque'spriorityisalwayshisteam.“Knowledge,training, andideasaretheaddedvaluewebring,”hesays.He believesinshapingprofessionalswhocanrepresent Cambodia'shospitalitysectorwithprideandexcellence. ThisiswhyFCCcontinuouslyinvestsintrainingand development,ensuringthateveryteammembergrowsnot onlyinskillbutinconfidence.
Everysixmonths,servicestandardsarereviewedand elevatedanexercisethatisnottop-downbutcollaborative. Jacqueswantshisteamtobethedriversofchange.Their insights,experiences,andcreativityhelprefineprocesses andshapeexceptionalservicejourneys.
Heleadsnotbyinstructionbutbyexample,trainingsideby side,repeatingprocesses,listening,andcommunicating transparently Tohim,leadershipisco-ownership transformationssucceedwheneveryonefeelsinvolvedand empowered.
TurningChallengesintoOpportunities
Noleadershippathisfreeofchallenges,andJacqueshas facedhisshare.Oneofthegreatestobstacles,henotes,is bridgingthegapbetweenideaandexecutionintroducinga newconceptinawaythattheteamtrulyunderstandsits purposeandseesitsvalue.
Overcomingthisrequiredpatience,clarity,andunity.By engagingtheteamearly,investingtimeintraining,and encouragingsharedparticipation,heensuredthatevery changebecameacollectiveachievementratherthanan imposeddecision.Thisphilosophyhelpedhimnavigate countlessobstaclesandturnthemintoopportunitiesfor growth.
DrivingInnovationandImpactinCambodian Hospitality
UnderJacques'stewardship,FCChasembracedinnovation asaculturalrhythmratherthanasingulareffort.The property'sdifferentiatorisnotmerelyitsfacilitiesbutits peopletheirprofessionalism,discipline,andgenuine enthusiasm.
HebelievesthatthefutureofCambodianhospitality dependsontalent:well-trained,confident,and knowledgeableindividualswhocanelevatetheentire
industry.Thisiswhyinvestmentinteamdevelopment remainscentraltoFCC'slong-termstrategy.
ALeaderwithaDeepSenseofResponsibility
Beyondbusiness,Jacquesleadswithaprofoundsenseof socialresponsibility.Hisfirstresponsibility,hebelieves,is tohisteam:tohelpthemgrow,achievetheirgoals,and buildlong-termcareers.InAsiaparticularly,mentoring emergingtalentisapersonalmission.
HissecondpriorityisthebroaderCambodiancommunity supportinglocalproducers,collaboratingwithartisans,and contributingtoinitiativesthatpromoteeducation, environmentalsustainability,andimprovedliving conditions.ToJacques,successisnotmeasuredinrevenue alonebutinhowmanylivesyouupliftalongtheway.
AVisionfortheFuture:ElevatingCambodiaonthe GlobalStage
Ashelooksaheadtothenextfivetotenyears,Jacques envisionsFCCbecomingabenchmarkofexcellencea propertyknownforitsbrillianceinservice,itsvibrant culture,anditsabilitytoattractglobalattentionto Cambodia.
Byelevatinghisteamandrefiningtheguestexperience,he hopestodrawgreaterinteresttothehistoriccity surroundingtheresort,especiallyitsproximitytotheworldrenownedAngkortemples.
AMessagetotheNextGeneration
ForyoungleadersandentrepreneursinCambodia,Jacques sharesamessageshapedbyexperienceandpassion:
“Ihadadreamofbecomingageneralmanager With enoughworkandpassion,Irealizedthatdream.Keep fightingforyourdreams.Workwithpassion.Botharethe truekeystosuccess.”
SUSTAINABLE ELEGANCE
Cambodia's Hotels Set New Standards in Responsible Tourism
Cambodiaissteppingintoa
freshchapterinhospitality, whereluxuryand sustainabilityarenolongeratodds. Withmoreglobaltravelersfocusingon responsibletourism,thecountry's upscalehotelsaretransformingthe definitionofluxury.Theyarenow blendingexquisiteexperienceswitha commitmenttoenvironmentalcare, culturalpreservation,andempowering localcommunities.
Thereisarisingtrendamongluxury propertiesinPhnomPenh,SiemReap, andalongthecoasttoprioritize sustainabilityasafundamental principleinsteadofjustanadd-on. Thesehotelsareshowcasinghowecofriendlypracticeslikeenergy-efficient designs,responsiblesourcing,and community-focusedinitiativescan elevatetheguestexperience,proving thatbeinggreendoesnotmean sacrificingcomfortorluxury
Intheheartofthecapital,luxuryhotels aresteppinguptheirgamebyweaving advancedsustainabilitypracticesinto theireverydayroutines.Manyofthese establishmentsareembracingstrict environmentalstandards,withakeen
focusoncuttingdownwaste, conservingwater,andharnessing renewableenergy.Excitinginitiatives likerooftophydroponicfarms,zerowastekitchens,andeco-friendly buildingmaterialsarebecoming staplesintheurbanhospitalityscene.
InSiemReap,whereCambodia's vibrantculturalheritagethrives,luxury resortsareseamlesslymerging traditionaldesignwithmodern sustainability.Nestledamonglushrice fields,gardens,andstunningnatural landscapes,theseupscaleproperties embraceaholisticapproachthat featuresorganicfarming,composting systems,biodiversityconservation,and activeengagementwiththelocal community
Wastereductionhasemergedasakey aspectofsustainableluxuryin Cambodia.Topresortsaresteppingup byimplementingrigorousrecycling initiatives,banningsingle-useplastics, andturningorganicwasteintocompost orbiofuel.Thesecircularpracticesnot onlyshowadedicationtolong-term ecologicalbalancebutalsoboost operationalefficiency.
Thisexcitingnewtrendinsocially responsibledevelopmentmarksa significantshiftforCambodia's hospitalityindustry Today'sluxury travelersarelookingformorethanjust comfort;theywantasenseofpurpose. Byblendingelegancewith sustainability,hotelsinCambodiaare creatingexperiencesthatarenotonly lavishbutalsomeaningful, sophisticatedyetconscientious.
Asthismovementpicksupspeed, Cambodiaissteppingupasa frontrunnerinsustainableluxury tourismaplacewheretop-notch hospitalitymeetsacommitmentto environmentalintegrity
