Work experience

• Director of Business Development

  Driftwood Explore Safari and Island Lodge Group

  2023.06-Current

  (3 years)

  Responsibilities and Duties: The previous company (Russell M Smith) underwent a change from hospitality consultants to a hospitality development, management and ownership company. I stayed with the company and was promoted to a Directorship position. In my position, my main role is to seek out potential new sites for development in various countries, as well as building relationships with in- country networks. I need to ascertain the viability of the site, if it fits into our business model and then work with the relevant stakeholders to move forward with the project. I am also responsible for the logistics and organisation of travel for the group of directors for the company. This role has taken me to work in many countries abroad. Some locations include: o Dar es Salaam Waterfront Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania o The B Hotel & Apartments, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania o Nyororo Island, Tanzania o Spirit of the Masai Mara Lodge, Kenya o River Lodge, Kenya o Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, Indonesia o Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia o Imvelo Safari Lodges, Zimbabwe o Kaingu Safari Lodge, Kafue, Zambia o Thaa Atoll, Maldives
• GM Research and Development

  Russell M Smith Hospitality

  2017.12-2023.06

  (6 years)

  During my time working at Russell M Smith Hospitality, I have been in charge of many facets of the business. My main role in the company was to provide the necessary research surveys and reports. This was namely market survey reports/studies, business plans for new and existing hotels as well as competitor analysis studies. These reports, studies and surveys were conducted using both electronic resources as well as physical surveys that I would conduct in the surrounding areas of the properties and on potential competitor hotels/lodges. From there, I built recommendations for the property on what course of action to take. I have also been fortunate to gain incredible knowledge in this company as we are also an authorised third-party management company for Marriott in Africa. This role has afforded me the opportunity to work both in South Africa as well ason multiple, diverse projects abroad. Some projects include: o Athena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda o Hotel Pavilion, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire o Hawthorndene Hotel, George, South Africa o Hotel Diamante, Luanda, Angola o Sao Vincente Hotel, Mindelo, Cape Verde o Protea Hotel, Witbank, South Africa o Protea Hotel, Polokwane, South Africa o Lodge on the Lake, Wilderness, South Africa o Dar es Salaam Airport Development, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania o The B Hotel & Apartments, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania o Imvelo Safari Lodges, Zimbabwe o Olivia Hotel, Burundi o The Velvet Monkey, Eswatini (Swaziland)

Educational experience

• University of Pretoria

  Criminology (nqf level7-degree level)

  2012.01-2014.12

  (3 years)

  The criminology aspect of my degree has taught me the overall understanding of crime and criminals as well as how to handle a crime scene and the court processes of the criminal justice system. The archaeology aspect has helped my majoring subject of criminology by covering forensic archaeology especially in terms of recording an archaeological scene involving human or animal remains. I took additional modules to compliment my major studies. Please enquire for further elaboration on specific subjects covered in modules.

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