Minor Hotels has appointed hospitality veteran, Laurie Burr, as GM of The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara and Avani Victoria Falls Resort, two brands owned by Minor Hotels.
Burr joins Minor Hotels from Legacy Hotels & Resorts, South Africa and Zimbabwe, where he was Area GM. He has also worked for Soneva Resorts and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. Prior to this he built his career as a chef in the Caribbean.
A British national and South African resident, Burr has over two decades of proven success in analysing multinational hotels and resorts’ critical business requirements with a focus on operational efficiency, creating unique guest experiences and improved staff environments for enhancing competitiveness, and increasing revenues and customer service offerings.
“Burr brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to our iconic Zambian properties, along with a passion for the environment, developing team members and building close and productive relationships with local communities,” said Mark Havercroft, Regional Director, Minor Hotels Africa.
He holds a degree in Catering and Management from Thames Valley University in London and has completed an Advanced Programme for General Managers in Hospitality at Cornell Nanyang Singapore.
Radisson Blu Hotel Lusaka in Zambia has appointed Johan Klang as GM, effective since February.
Johan Klang, Radisson Blu Hotel Lusaka’s new GM.
Klang started his career with the Radisson Hotel Group in 2009, when he joined Park Inn by Radisson in Stockholm, Sweden. He has since relocated to five different African countries with the hotel group.
During his three years within the Food and Beverage Department of Park Inn Stockholm, Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos and Radisson Blu, Tripoli, Klang was a part of the Radisson Group’s mentee programme and was offered his first position as GM at the Park Inn by Radisson, Tete, Mozambique. Between 2016 and January 2019 he was the GM at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Klang now joins Radisson Blu Hotel Lusaka.
“Klang is an invaluable asset to Radisson Hotel Group as he not only brings his hospitality insight and knowledge to his role but also endless passion to the hotel, his team and guests. We look forward to celebrating his 10th year with the Radisson Hotel Group and continuing to witness the magic he brings to each hotel he leads,” said William McIntyre, Regional Director, Africa, Radisson Hotel Group.
Newmark Hotels, Reserves & Lodges has appointed Alison Rainier as GM of the newly opened Stock Exchange hotel in Cape Town’s Woodstock.
Alison Rainier, GM of Newmark’s new hotel, Stock Exchange.
Rainier has a degree in Hospitality Management from DIT in Dublin, Ireland, and after holding a number of jobs in the country she returned to South Africa in 2006, working in Johannesburg as part of a reservations team and then went on to hold the role of Assistant Operations Manager. Thereafter, she was appointed as a Lodge Manager for five years.
“I’m really happy to be working with a company (Newmark) and its people who have amazing ideals and thoughts for their employees, and aspirations for their properties. I’m excited to be based in the heart of Woodstock – there is going to be such an energetic vibe and so much excitement at Stock Exchange,” said Rainier.
Zeitz MOCAA Museum in Cape Town has appointed Koyo Kouoh as Executive Director and Chief Curator.
Koyo Kouoh, Zeitz MOCAA’s new Executive Director and Chief Curator.
Kouoh has two decades of experience as an international curator and cultural producer. As the founding Artistic Director of the RAW Material Company, a centre for art, knowledge and society in Dakar, she developed numerous art programmes and published widely on contemporary art. She has served as Curator of the Educational and Artistic Programme of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair for eight consecutive editions in London and New York, as well as on the curatorial teams for Documenta 12 and 13.
Her appointment is effective immediately with her full-time position as Executive Director and Chief Curator commencing on May 6, from then the wider team of Zeitz MOCAA will be Kouoh as Executive Director and Chief Curator; Brooke Minto, Director of Institutional Advancement; and Fawaz Mustapha, Director of Operations.