Steve Fitzgerald, long-time driver of CC Africa/&Beyond and more recently, Angama Mara in Kenya, has died.
Born and educated in South Africa, Fitzgerald spent 35 years building two substantial hospitality businesses. He founded Halcyon Hotels in 1981, a group that included the Arniston and Cape Town’s Bay Hotel and Blues Restaurant. Thereafter he joined &Beyond, then known as CC Africa, and from 1994 served as Managing Director/CEO until his departure 15 years later in 2009.
At &Beyond, he was instrumental in growing the business from three safari lodges in South Africa to over 50 lodges across sub-Saharan Africa and India, as well as travel management and property development divisions.
During his tenure, &Beyond became one of the first lodge companies to acquire a tour operating business and realise the value in vertical integration up the supply chain.
A handful of Fitzgerald’s most notable achievements at &Beyond include negotiating lease agreements with communities across Africa; expansion initiatives into India; and the conclusion of a ground-breaking land claim settlement in South Africa.
After leaving &Beyond, he explored several lodge opportunities in Central and South America. Most recently, he and his wife Nicky have been involved as owner managers of Angama Mara in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
Fitzgerald credited his achievements to inspiring a common vision, never wavering from core values and the total empowerment of staff.
Angama Mara has won a number of awards. Built by Steve and Nicky, it includes the picnic site featured in the film Out of Africa. Steve recently recountedwhat it was like to build their dream lodge on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Great Rift Valley.
