Lydia BACONNAIS

HR Career and Development APAC Resorts Director, Shanghai

Lydia currently heads up Career and Development for our Asia Pacific Resorts. She has been working in Club Med for 22 years, starting out as a fitness instructor in our Club Med resorts in France, Mauritius, Turkey and Club Med 2 Cruise. She continued as a Sports and Event Manager and then promoted to become a General Manager in our resorts across Brazil, France, Japan, Morocco, Thailand, Indonesia and Maldives. Lydia now resides in Shanghai and continues to thrive juggling work with a healthy lifestyle, doing marathons and discovering nature.

When I think of Club Med, I think of….

Life Experience and Happiness.

I get my inspiration from…

All the Gracious Organizers (G.Os) who are the staff in our resorts, they make all the difference and best represent of Club Med’s values which I appreciate.

In the past week, what was the most memorable thing that someone said to you?

One of our CEOs used me as an example by celebrating my career evolution from a sports G.O to a General Manager and now as a HR Director of Career & Development.

What brings the best out of you / When are you your best self?

Using my creativity to make a positive difference. The bigger the audience, the bigger the impact.

What do you love most about your job / Club Med?

It has great career development and opportunities and the values & DNA that Club Med has.

What have you learnt about yourself amidst the COVID-19 pandemic?

No matter what happens, my creativity and positive mindset helps me to find solutions.

What is one thing you’ve learnt to appreciate during the pandemic?

Human connection.

How have your passion points changed in the past year?

It has reinforced my passion for people.

After what has happened over the past year, has your dream destination changed and why?

After 22 years in Club Med and having discovered 46 countries, I truly believe that each destination has something different, something to learn and amazing people to meet. It is not about the destination, it is the experience that matters.

What is it about the destination you’re in or what can you do in the coming week to help the people around you to get back to their best selves?

Listen to them, understand their expectation and to help them reach their goals for a collective success.

2021 is the year to get Back to Happiness. I am going to…

continue to pursue my goals: contributing to others’ lives, enjoying as much as I can, turning difficulties to opportunities. No matter what happens, having a self-vision is key for me.