Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is strengthening its commitment to employee development and well-being with the opening of the new Monte-Carlo SBM Academy and a dedicated dining space at the Group’s headquarters.
Stéphane Valeri, Deputy Chairman of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, and Sophie Vincent, the Group’s Director of Human Resources, officially inaugurated the two new facilities on the 11th floor of the “Aigue-Marine” headquarters.
Joined by members of the Executive Committee and employees, they unveiled the Monte-Carlo SBM Academy, a new in-house training centre, alongside the “Espace Marie Blanc” employee dining area.
Together, the two projects form part of the Group’s wider strategy to invest in its workforce, encourage professional development and improve the everyday working environment.
A dedicated centre for learning and development
With some 130 different professions represented across Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, training and the transfer of expertise play an important role in maintaining the Group’s standards.
The new Monte-Carlo SBM Academy is the latest initiative from the Human Resources Department to attract and retain talent while helping employees develop their skills throughout their careers.
Covering 226 m², the Academy was designed by Saguez & Partners in collaboration with the Group’s Construction and Built Heritage Department. The facility includes an open-plan area, offices and three dedicated training rooms, with capacity for up to 40 employees to undertake training simultaneously.
Its opening follows the launch last year of “My SBM Academy”, the Group’s e-learning platform. Accessible from workplace computers, smartphones and tablets, the platform offers training modules developed entirely by SBM, covering everything from general professional skills to technical and job-specific subjects.
Training across 20 different categories
The new physical Academy complements the digital platform with courses covering 20 different training categories.
Programmes are delivered by carefully selected external providers as well as trained members of the Group’s own workforce. Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s training teams have also developed bespoke courses specifically tailored to the needs of its employees.
Some programmes carry certification from internationally recognised institutions, including EHL Hospitality Business School.
Among them is the recently introduced “Trainer in Practical Arts” certification programme, developed in partnership with EHL. The course provides future trainers with the pedagogical skills needed to pass their knowledge and expertise on to colleagues, using teaching methods adapted to individual professions.
The Academy therefore serves a purpose beyond conventional professional development. By encouraging experienced employees to transfer their knowledge to the next generation, it helps preserve the skills and expertise behind many of the Group’s 130 professions.
During 2025–2026, more than 1,700 employees benefited from at least one training course provided free of charge by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. With its new Academy, the Group intends to increase those opportunities further.
Looking ahead, plans also include expanding the range of in-house certification programmes and eventually making some courses available to external participants.
Espace Marie Blanc: a new dining area for employees
Alongside the Academy, employees at the Group’s headquarters now have a completely redesigned dining area.
Also created by Saguez & Partners, the 327 m² “Espace Marie Blanc” takes its name from a staff competition and has been designed as much as a place to relax and meet colleagues as somewhere to enjoy a meal.
Open seven days a week, it offers two dining areas with a total of 113 seats, a lounge and a dedicated area for meal deliveries provided by an external SBM partner.
Bright, contemporary and versatile, the space also enjoys impressive views across the Rock and the Mediterranean.
The décor incorporates elements of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s heritage, including historic stained-glass windows from the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo depicting the seasons. An opus incertum floor, composed of irregular pieces of natural stone, adds another distinctive architectural detail.
Putting employee well-being at the heart of the Group
Employee well-being has become an increasingly important part of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s human resources strategy in recent years.
The Group employs around 5,000 people, rising to approximately 6,000 during the peak season, making it Monaco’s largest private-sector employer.
Its workplace initiatives extend well beyond professional training. Employees can take part in yoga, stretching and muscle-strengthening classes, as well as reflexology and meditation workshops. Naturopathy consultations and chair massage sessions are also available, alongside programmes addressing issues including eye-strain prevention and breast cancer awareness.
Financial benefits include various annual bonuses, such as profit-sharing, social bonuses and a Grand Prix bonus for eligible employees.
Recognising one of the particular challenges facing seasonal workers in Monaco and the surrounding region, the Group also provides employee accommodation, with 334 beds currently available.
The opening of the Monte-Carlo SBM Academy and Espace Marie Blanc adds another dimension to this strategy. By combining professional development with improvements to the working environment, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is investing in the people responsible for delivering the hospitality and service on which its international reputation has been built.
PHOTO CREDITS
- All photos © Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
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