Adrian Gardiner, Chairman of the Mantis Group, Wilderness Foundation Global and Stenden University, South Africa, on Monday, announced the appointment of Philippe Baretaud as Chief Executive Officer of the Mantis Group.
"Following the 50% acquisition of the South African-based company by AccorHotels in April 2018, Baretaud will be responsible for leading the strategic vision for the Mantis Group, which today is a collection of over 30 properties worldwide, including award-winning, privately owned five-star properties located around the world, across all seven continents," Gardiner said in a statement.
Baretaud, who started his career in 1985 in the French public sector, joined AccorHotels in 1989 with HOTELIA, a former provider of retirement homes.
In 1998, he was part of the hospitality development team in France, and a few years later joined the Group’s development team in the UK, where he was appointed Development Director of Accor UK.
He then moved to Dubai five years later to head the Group’s development in the Middle East; and in 2011 was promoted to Senior Vice President, Head of Development for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In 2014, Baretaud was tasked with reinvigorating the Group’s presence in Africa as Vice President and Head of Development Africa and Indian Ocean.
A few years later, he went on to establish the Group’s presence in SA, including the set-up of the Johannesburg office, which today supports AccorHotel’s operations, development and technical services.
He holds an MBA from ESCP Europe and a Degree in Law from the University of Lille, France.
Sonto Mayise has been appointed Acting Chief Convention Bureau Head at KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, following the recent departure of veteran tourism expert, James Seymour from Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.
Mayise is determined to ensure that KwaZulu Natal and Durban in particular remain a priority destination for business tourism.
The bureau is a partnership initiative of the KwaZulu Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and the eThekwini Municipality to promote the meeting and business tourism services of KZN and Durban.
Dominique van Wezop has been appointed Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town new Head of Operations for Food and Drink, while Anene Engelbrecht has been appointed the hotel’s new Financial Controller.
