Where
were you born? In
Kimberley, South Africa, the
epicentre of global diamond production.
How
long have you been in the business? Since
1998, starting as national sales manager for Busabout, then a brand new hop-on-hop-off company in Europe.
Why
did you come to Canada? For love! My wife is also
South African, and was emigrating with her family so I decided to make my life
here.
How
many people work for you? 20, all
based in Toronto.
What’s
the best part of the job? Being involved with sending
people to South Africa, which is still most dear to my heart.
What
did you want to be as a kid? Oh gosh. Maybe a writer? Or a university professor.
What
was your first ever job? Working in the marketing
department at Levi Strauss in San Francisco, where I went to University.
Any
guilty pleasures? We’ll occasionally binge watch British period
dramas like Downton Abbey and The Crown. I’m a real sucker for that
stuff.
What’s
your favourite airline? SAA,
they are far and away the best carrier to Africa in terms of customer service,
reliability and comfortable planes.
Favourite
hotel chain? Red Carnation. They’re amazing.
What’s
on your night stand? I am
an avid reader - The Invention of Wings
by Sue Monk Kidd and The Elephant
Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony. The paper versions!
What
do people not know about you? I was on the career
track to become a professor of sociology.
Any
hobbies or interests? I have always enjoyed running, and working
with my hands. I’m completely devoted to
my three children, who are now 17, 12, and 9.
And I like to cook.
When
are you happiest? On visits to South Africa,
surrounded by my family.
What
would you tell your 20 year old self? Think about
your career more seriously.
Who
do you most admire in the industry? The visionary
founder of The Travel Corporation, Stanley Tillman.
What’s
at the top of your bucket list? I’m fascinated by Peru and would like to hike the Inca trail.
What
do you think will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? The outlook for the next year is very positive
- but the challenges will come from insecurities
that prevail in the world, both natural and some of the tense political
scandals.
What
do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I hope to be firmly at the helm of Lion World Travel ensuring that the
current trend of real interest in Africa continues to grow!
