From the Heat of the Kitchen to the Heart of Operations
- Frontpage
- About Bellagroup
- People
- Fredrik Sandström
Having worked across Europe and New York as a chef, pastry chef, and even ice sculptor, it was mere coincidence that Fredrik Sandström ended up in the hotel industry. After 7 years with Hilton Group, Fredrik became a part of the opening team at Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers in 2009, kickstarting his more than a decade-long career in Bellagroup. What began as a curiosity about how the next phase of his career should play out soon became a wild ride defined by change, challenge, and growth.
Fredrik’s path has been anything but traditional, and the boyish immediacy from the young chef still lives in the senior executive Fredrik is today.
“I never imagined I’d end up in hotel operations; it was supposed to be a pit stop,” he admits. But curiosity and the drive to create results kept him moving forward, taking on new challenges as Bellagroup evolved through mergers, new owners, and constant change. He’s been at the heart of everything from developing signature beers and bacon to building new restaurants and insourcing entire departments.
“Sometimes things worked, sometimes we learned something new,” he says with a smile.
If you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room, you’re in the wrong room."
As his ambitions grew and new opportunities arose, Fredrik realized that working harder wasn’t enough. He needed new tools and perspectives to take on more responsibility. Encouraged by his manager and driven by his own curiosity, he decided to pursue an MBA.
“You can only work more hours up to a certain point. I needed new ways of thinking and solving problems,” he reflects.
Today, as Chief Operating Officer, Fredrik is responsible for the full scope of Bella Centers operations, covering everything from IT and security to sustainability and F&B. But leadership wasn’t always the goal.
“I never saw myself as a people manager; people were often the source of problems,” Fredrik says candidly. But over time, his perspective shifted: “Today, I know people are the most important resource. I’m lucky to have a strong team around me, and I’m challenged every day.”
If you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room, you’re in the wrong room."
“I never saw myself as a people manager; people were often the source of problems. Today, I know people are the most important resource."
Fredrik describes Bellagroup as a place where change is constant and adaptability is key: “If the challenges and changes stopped coming, I’d probably have moved on. But here, there’s always something new in Bellagroup, and that’s what makes it fun.”
He values being surrounded by professionals who push him to grow, and he tries to do the same for his team: “If you’re the most knowledgeable person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
Looking ahead, Fredrik is excited about taking Bellagroup’s new strategy to the next level: “I’m curious to see how far we can go with this new direction. Maybe one day, I will be back in New York with a chainsaw, carving ice sculptures. But for now, this is where I belong.”