About us
Our founder
Latitude Gulf was born from the passion and expertise of a seasoned hospitality professional with over 25 years of experience. Our founder, Renata, envisions a sector where household and estate staff and yacht crew professionals are not just skilled, but also embody professionalism, ethics and cultural sensitivity to deliver excellence.
We pioneer innovative training methods, driven by our goal to reshape the industry. By setting new benchmarks and to redefine service in an ever-evolving, high-end hospitality.
Renata Balla
Renata’s journey in the luxury hospitality world, ignited by her hotel management degree, spans from 5-star hotels and cruise ships to orchestrating special events for the UAE’s royal fleet of superyachts.
Her extensive experience enriches Latitude Gulf, where she is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge and helping individuals and teams uncover their passion while refining their skills within private households, estates and yachts.
Norbert Schök is an international hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in bartending, beverage education, and hospitality consulting. Beginning his career in Hungary, he developed his expertise under some of the country’s most respected bartenders before expanding internationally. In Ireland, he earned recognition through multiple cocktail competition wins, a Bartender of the Year nomination, and the opportunity to represent Ireland at the World Cocktail Championship in Taiwan.
Building on his international success, Norbert later worked with one of the world’s leading gin brands in Spain, delivering masterclasses and supporting the growth of modern cocktail culture. Today, he combines his global experience with a passion for beverage programme development, staff training, and operational excellence. As part of the Latitude Gulf team, he is committed to helping hospitality businesses elevate service standards and create exceptional guest experiences.