Maarten Dirks

Maarten is the Education Director (Digital) at WBCSD, having joined in September 2022. He leads the development of the digital learning platform and its digital learning content. He also provides strategic advice on people development and leads training initiatives for staff, partners, and members. He has a strong focus on learning solutions, instructional design, and leadership development. 

Prior to joining WBCSD, Maarten had over 20 years’ experience in learning & development in the Hospitality sector across four continents, from Australia to Europe, before landing back in Europe as EMEA Regional Director Training & Talent Development for the Luxury brands of the ACCOR group. After fulfilling the role of Global Head of Learning with LobsterInk and the role of C.O.O. at Novo-learning, both digital learning content suppliers, Maarten now pursues his digital learning passion with the WBCSD.   

Maarten has a Bachelor in European Hospitality Management from the Hotelschool The Hague and was accorded the Young Leader of the Year nomination by his first employer at Radisson SAS hotels.  At Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia, Maarten earned the Trainer of the Year award.  He has been trained in professional Learning & Development skills at the STAR Program with Radisson SAS and the Business of Training course with Hyatt Asia-Pacific.  He is co-founder of Sofitel Luxury Hotel’s School of Excellence, Sofitel Asia’s Leadership Training College and he’s the developer of the brand’s global training program on Cousu-main service. Maarten has many thousands of hours of facilitation experience and has hosted, as MC, various meetings and conferences.   

Maarten was born in Indonesia to Dutch parents. He spent much of his childhood in the Netherlands, Indonesia and in Burkina Faso, fueling his passion for travel and languages. After extensive international experience, Maarten now lives with his wife and three young children in Naarden, the Netherlands.  

Maarten enjoys cycling, hiking and mountain biking, as well as carpentry and boardgames.  He speaks several languages, though prefers to converse in English, Dutch, German, French and Bahasa Indonesia.