Zhi Yang is originally from China, but moved to the UK for his education at the age of 17. He graduated in International Hospitality and Tourism Management from Bournemouth University, and went on to work in various London hotels including the Ritz, the Hilton on Park Lane and Park Plaza London Riverbank. He moved to Kanazawa – his wife’s home town – in 2013, joining Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel in 2017.