Global Hospitality Leader for Hotel Management Roles
Resume:
BD CREATIVE
Dynamic and results-driven hospitality executive with over 30 years of international
experience leading high-performing teams across luxury hotels, resorts, convention centres, and diversified service portfolios. Proven success in pre-openings, large-scale operations, hospitality asset management, and strategic business development across Africa, the Middle East, and Indian Ocean islands. Held senior leadership positions with globally recognized brands such as Rosewood Hotels, Accor, Sun International, and Peermont. Adept in stakeholder engagement at board level, financial turnaround, and end-to-end lifecycle project execution. A passionate industry mentor, change leader, and operational innovator committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences and sustainable business growth. JEGIE PADMANATHAN
GLOBAL HOSPITALITY LEADER
DRIVING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE PROFITABILITY PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
WORK EXPERIENCE
HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Africa & International Markets
March 2025 – Present
Partnering with hotel owners, investors, and executive leadership teams to deliver strategic improvements across all aspects of hospitality operations. I focus on creating value through operational optimisation, brand elevation, and commercial success across hotels, resorts, and convention centres.
Key Focus Areas:
• Lead pre-opening and turnaround projects, ensuring timely launches, strong brand positioning, and full operational readiness.
• Restructure underperforming operations by realigning teams, optimising workflows, and embedding commercial accountability.
• Develop and execute revenue management strategies that increase direct bookings and improve rate integrity across channels.
• Enhance guest service delivery by implementing personalised service models, team training, and customer-focused SOPs.
• Provide strategic guidance on asset management, investment planning, and development to maximise long-term ROI.
GENERAL MANAGER
Qurtuba Hotel and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa www.qurtubahospitality.co.za October 2024 – February 2025
Appointed to lead the full operational and commercial management of this luxury urban resort encompassing hotel accommodation, a wellness spa, a destination restaurant, and a high-capacity convention centre. Tasked with driving profitability, streamlining operations, and enhancing the integrated guest experience in a highly competitive Johannesburg hospitality market.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Directed daily operations across all departments, maintaining consistently high standards in guest service, financial performance, and team leadership.
• Increased total revenue across hotel, F&B, and events through a refined commercial strategy that emphasized cross-selling and bundled offerings.
• Launched a new hospitality website with integrated booking engine to reduce OTA dependency and grow direct revenue channels.
• Boosted performance in the on-site restaurant through targeted promotions, operational enhancements, and cost control measures. CONTACT
Boksburg, Johannesburg – South Africa
****************@*****.***
www.linkedin.com/in/jegiepadmanathan/
EDUCATION
Certification in Real Estate,
Development, and Hotel Investment
School of Hotel Administration, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, USA 2008
Fundamentals of Hotel Investment and
Financing Decision
School of Hotel Administration, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, USA 2008
Hotel Asset Management
School of Hotel Administration, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, USA 2008
Hotel Planning and Design
School of Hotel Administration, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, USA 2008
General Managers Program
School of Hotel Administration, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, USA 2006
Executive Management Development
Certificate – Executive Programme
University of Cape Town Graduate
School of Business, South Africa 1998
Hospitality Industry Training Board
Certificate (In-Service Hotel
Management Trainee)
Southern Sun Hotels and Resorts, South
Africa 1993
Diploma in Hotel Management
Witwatersrand Hotel School,
Johannesburg, South Africa 1991
GCE “A” Levels – British Law and
Economics
Bradford and Bingley Community
College, Bradford, England 1988
BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Developed a comprehensive revenue strategy for OTA platforms including Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com, ensuring optimal rate positioning and visibility.
• Integrated Semper PMS and Pilot POS systems for better operational reporting and front-of-house efficiency.
• Elevated Qurtuba’s positioning as a resort destination by curating a cohesive “all-in- one” guest experience that linked spa, accommodation, dining, and conferencing.
• Championed a service culture focused on operational agility, customer care, and margin-driven decision-making across all departments. GENERAL MANAGER
Vivari Hotel and Spa – Accor, Johannesburg, South Africa www.vivarihotel.co.za December 2022 – May 2024
Appointed to oversee the end-to-end operations of a luxury boutique hotel, spa, restaurant, and conference centre under the Accor brand. Focused on repositioning the property for sustained growth, profitability, and guest excellence in a competitive urban market. Key Functions & Achievements:
• Recruited and onboarded a new senior management team within three months, restoring operational structure and accountability.
• Consistently exceeded revenue targets through dynamic pricing, occupancy maximisation, and strategic upselling initiatives.
• Reduced operating costs by introducing sustainable solutions, including spring water systems and solar power integration.
• Elevated guest satisfaction scores by implementing personalised service standards and proactive issue resolution protocols.
• Successfully integrated the hotel into the local business and cultural ecosystem, enhancing community relationships and brand presence.
• Launched a tailored guest loyalty program that drove repeat business, increased referrals, and enhanced customer retention.
• Ensured compliance with Accor brand standards while adapting the service model to reflect the boutique nature of the property, meeting ownership expectations for performance and return on investment.
GENERAL MANAGER
Seychelles Travel / Seychelles Medical Services, Mahé, Seychelles December 2021 – November 2022
Appointed to lead and optimise operations across three distinct business units—PCR testing services, private medical facilities, and tourism service delivery. Focused on ensuring profitability, agility, and sustainable growth in a post-pandemic market while maintaining exceptional service quality across sectors.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Oversaw daily operations of three diverse business divisions, ensuring consistent performance and alignment with overall corporate strategy.
• Drove profitability across the group, achieving over €10M in revenue with industry- leading margins through strategic resource allocation and financial oversight.
• Developed and executed tailored business strategies for each unit, embedding a strong service ethos and aligning staff around clearly defined operational goals.
• Led digital transformation initiatives in the PCR and travel arms, optimising online platforms to drive bookings, customer engagement, and market visibility.
• Positioned each business unit for sustained relevance by innovating service offerings and responding swiftly to market and regulatory shifts.
• Reengineered organisational processes to reduce complexity, streamline decision- making, and empower staff with broader roles and responsibilities.
• Played a hands-on leadership role in solving high-impact challenges, fostering a culture of ownership, simplicity, and agility across the organisation. MEMBERSHIP
Award Committee Member, Tourism
Grading Council of South Africa
Member, Chaines de Rôtisseurs
SKILLS
Executive Leadership
Strategic Planning
Business Transformation
P&L Accountability
Corporate Governance
Strategy Development & Execution
Process Improvement
Change Management
Stakeholder Management
Revenue Growth Strategies
Profit Maximization
Organizational Development
Portfolio Management
Business Development
Team Management & Development
Training, Coaching & Mentoring
Risk Management
Capital Expenditure Management
Brand Positioning
Competitive Analysis
Customer Experience Improvement
Operational Excellence
Budget Oversight & Cost Reduction
Performance Metrics & KPIs
Crisis Management
Sustainability Initiatives
Corporate Social Responsibility
BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
HOSPITALITY AND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Ready Ignite Pty Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa
January 2020 – November 2021
Appointed to support hotel and hospitality operations across Sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provided hands-on crisis management, operational restructuring, and strategic consulting to help businesses navigate one of the most disruptive periods in hospitality history.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Supported day-to-day operations for a portfolio of hotels, lodges, and restaurants across nine African countries, ensuring business continuity despite global travel and regulatory disruptions.
• Right-sized operating models to match fluctuating demand and resource constraints, helping properties maintain solvency and service levels.
• Delivered cross-functional consulting in financial restructuring, revenue management, sales strategy, and technology solutions during a time when many senior executives were furloughed.
• Implemented crisis response frameworks and lean operational practices, enabling properties to adapt quickly to evolving health and safety regulations.
• Provided critical leadership in regions with limited support infrastructure, preserving brand integrity and ensuring guest confidence across diverse markets. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Bidvest Prestige, Johannesburg, South Africa www.bidvestprestige.co.za September 2016 – November 2019
Appointed to lead the strategic turnaround and growth of Bidvest Prestige, a leading soft services and staffing company operating across South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia, and Lesotho. Directed large-scale operations across diverse industries, implemented enterprise- wide transformation, and drove sustainable profit growth in a highly competitive market. Key Functions & Achievements:
• Led the company to achieve annual revenues of R2.5 billion and profits of R220 million, despite challenging economic conditions and fierce market competition.
• Engineered a streamlined, scalable operating model across four countries, enhancing process efficiency and establishing a robust infrastructure for future growth.
• Increased staffing levels from 32,000 to over 40,000 employees by expanding service contracts and scaling delivery capacity across key sectors.
• Spearheaded a cultural transformation, modernizing legacy systems and embedding a performance-driven mindset throughout the organization.
• Reduced operating costs significantly by consolidating leased properties, optimizing regional structures, and eliminating redundancy.
• Championed the development of future leaders through active mentorship and coaching, contributing to a strong internal talent pipeline.
• Introduced real-time time and attendance systems, directly linking labor tracking to contract profitability—improving cost control across the board.
• Drove a volume-based growth strategy that increased margins by leveraging economies of scale and cross-sector service synergies.
• Led several high-impact technology upgrades including the identification and rollout of a new ERP system, payroll platform, and automated payslip system.
• Oversaw one of the largest hospitality staffing operations in South Africa, managing 12,000 hotel rooms daily across multiple brands and regions.
• Directed a fleet of 400+ logistics vehicles, supporting operations across South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, and Mauritius.
• Built and managed an executive leadership team of 16, with 450 managers reporting across operational tiers.
• Drove the success of Bidvest Mauritius, making it the largest landscaping provider for top-tier resorts and residential estates, with revenues of R135 million.
• Strengthened sector diversification by leading service delivery across mining, healthcare, hospitality, retail, automotive, and forestry industries. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout my 30+ year journey in the
hospitality and service industries, I have
been privileged to lead, innovate, and
influence across iconic properties and
projects. These milestones represent
moments that have not only shaped my
career but also advanced the
organizations and communities I served:
Transforming Lives Through Education:
In 2016, I conceptualized and launched
the Peermont Hotel School at Emperors
Palace, securing R3.5 million in funding.
This initiative provided over 1,700
previously disadvantaged youth with
internationally recognized City & Guilds
hospitality certifications—creating a
new generation of skilled professionals
and marking my proudest personal
achievement.
Pioneering Prestigious Pre-Openings:
Over my career, I have led the pre-
opening of 11 hotels across five
countries, including flagship properties
under Rosewood, Accor, and Peermont.
A crowning moment was launching The
Globe Restaurant in Riyadh—then the
most expensively built restaurant in the
world, perched 250 meters above
ground and catering to Saudi royalty.
Steering a Hospitality Business Through
Crisis: During the COVID-19 pandemic, I
transitioned into operational leadership
for Seychelles Travel and Medical
Services, overseeing three diverse
verticals. I helped sustain over €10
million in revenue with 80% profit
margins, applying hospitality agility to
medical and travel services during an
unprecedented global disruption.
National Industry Leadership: From
2009 to 2018, I served on the Tourism
Grading Council Awards Committee of
South Africa, appointed by the Minister
of Tourism. My role in grading and
standardizing hospitality establishments
helped elevate service benchmarks
across the country.
Elevating a Resort to Continental
Stardom: As COO of Peermont Hotels, I
helped Emperors Palace win Africa’s
Leading Casino Resort three consecutive
times (2006–2008) at the World Travel
Awards, while simultaneously expanding
its convention revenue from R10 million
to R200 million annually.
BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Integrated multiple soft services—cleaning, hygiene, pest control, landscaping, and indoor environments—into unified client solutions, enhancing contract value and retention.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER – HOTELS AND RESORTS
Peermont Hotels, Casinos & Resorts, Johannesburg, South Africa www.peermont.com December 2007 – 2016
Oversaw group operations across 17 hotel properties in South Africa, Botswana, and Malawi, delivering sustained financial growth and operational excellence. Led central reservations, revenue management, F&B, conferencing, and hotel development functions. Played a key role in the strategic expansion and pre-opening of major hospitality assets across the region.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Managed a portfolio of 17 hotels totaling 1,710 rooms across three countries, ensuring profitability, service excellence, and operational consistency.
• Achieved annual group revenues of R800 million, with high-performing departmental profit margins across hotels (78%), F&B (25%), and conventions (45%).
• Led the pre-opening and operational setup of a government-owned 130-room hotel and 5,000-seat convention center in Lilongwe, Malawi.
• Increased Emperors Palace Convention Centre revenue from R10 million to R200 million annually through strategic sales and service innovation.
• Directed the design, development, and launch of seven hotels and convention centers in South Africa, collaborating with architects and technical teams.
• Oversaw Group Sales Strategy—both international and domestic—ensuring alignment between market goals and operational delivery.
• Led Group Central Reservations and Revenue Management, optimizing channel performance, pricing strategy, and yield management.
• Drove group-wide performance in Food & Beverage and Convention Divisions, ensuring excellence in guest experience and ROI in operations.
• Evaluated and secured new business opportunities, including greenfield developments, lease projects, and third-party management contracts.
• Reviewed and approved all concept, architectural, and technical plans related to new developments, refurbishments, and expansion projects.
• Directed interior design and fit-out reviews, ensuring consistency with brand standards and guest experience expectations.
• Delivered operational oversight for IT infrastructure and system requirements, particularly for public areas, F&B outlets, and conference spaces.
• Championed return-on-investment reviews for all development proposals, including renovations, F&B upgrades, and new project feasibility.
• Actively collaborated with the Group Development Manager to shape property concepts, facilities mix, and technical infrastructure across developments.
• Played a critical cross-functional role in aligning development, finance, and operations, ensuring integrated execution of the group’s strategic plan. GENERAL MANAGER – HOTELS & RESORTS DIVISION
Emperors Palace – Hotel, Casino & Convention Resort www.emperorspalace.com July 2004 – November 2007
Led the full operational and financial performance of Emperors Palace’s multi-hotel, convention, and food & beverage complex. Oversaw transformation and restructuring initiatives across a large-scale, high-traffic hospitality environment with four hotels (five- star to three-star), a major convention center, and diverse guest-facing outlets. Key Functions & Achievements:
• Successfully restructured and optimized a multi-property hospitality division consisting of 676 rooms, a 300-seat convention center, 10 F&B outlets, a nightclub, and a retail precinct—elevating both guest experience and profitability. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Award-Winning Operational Leadership:
Early in my tenure with Sun International,
I was honoured as the Unit Executive
Manager of the Year in 1999. Under my
leadership, The Cascades Hotel earned a
coveted spot as the 15th Best Hotel in the
World in its class by Travel & Leisure
Magazine.
Delivering Large-Scale Global Events: As
F&B Coordinator for the Sun City Million
Dollar Golf Tournament (1997–2000), I
orchestrated catering logistics for over
70,000 guests across 55 marquee
venues—then the richest golf
tournament globally.
From Concept to Reality – New
Developments: At Peermont, I played a
lead role in designing, planning, and
launching seven hotels and convention
centers across South Africa, and
spearheaded a 130-room hotel and
5,000-seater conference centre in Malawi
in partnership with the national
government.
Cross-Industry Leadership Excellence:
My leadership at Bidvest Prestige as CEO
saw annual revenues reach R2.5 billion,
employing over 40,000 staff and
executing complex facilities contracts in
four countries. I successfully shifted a
traditional cleaning business into a data-
driven, margin-focused enterprise.
Global, Culturally Fluent Leadership:
With hands-on experience in South
Africa, the Middle East, Southern Africa,
and the Indian Ocean, I have consistently
demonstrated my ability to lead diverse
teams, deliver culturally attuned guest
experiences, and drive results across
vastly different operating environments.
BD CREATIVE
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Achieved annual revenue of R300 million, delivering strong departmental profit margins: 78% in hotels, 30% in F&B, and 50% in conferencing.
• Managed and executed an annual R60 million CapEx program for refurbishment, departmental upgrades, and innovation-driven capital projects.
• Spearheaded large-scale transformation projects, including departmental restructures, service concept upgrades, and the introduction of best-in-class operational standards.
• Oversaw 1,000+ staff (270 permanent and 700–1,000 casual), instilling a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement across the non-gaming resort division.
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER – NON-GAMING DIVISION
Caesars Gauteng – Hotel, Casino & Convention Resort www.caesars.co.za October 2002 – July 2004
Directed the operations and strategic growth of Caesars Gauteng’s Non-Gaming Division, encompassing multiple hospitality assets including two hotels, a large convention center, extensive food and beverage outlets, a nightclub, and cleaning services. Focused on revenue growth, operational efficiency, and elevating guest satisfaction in a competitive market.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Managed the day-to-day operations of two hotels, a convention center, food and beverage outlets, a nightclub, and cleaning services, ensuring seamless coordination across departments.
• Developed and enforced robust policies and procedures that enhanced revenue generation, cost control, and maximized departmental profit margins.
• Spearheaded the creation and execution of a dedicated marketing strategy and budget for the division, targeting both local and international markets to drive business growth.
• Elevated service standards and guest satisfaction by implementing focused staff training, performance management, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Strengthened human resource management practices to improve team engagement, productivity, and retention across a diverse workforce. FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER
Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia www.rosewoodhotels.com March 2000 – September 2002
Key member of the pre-opening and operational leadership teams for multiple luxury properties within the prestigious Al Faisaliah complex. Successfully launched and managed large-scale food and beverage operations, including a landmark restaurant with a global reputation for luxury and innovation.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Played an integral role in the pre-opening and daily operations of the five-star, 224- room Al Faisaliah Hotel, ensuring seamless launch and ongoing excellence.
• Led the pre-opening and operational management of the 100-suite Al Faisaliah Residence and Spa, delivering a superior guest experience.
• Directed food and beverage operations for the 10,000 sqm Al Faisaliah Banquet and Conference Center, primary caterer to the Saudi Royal Family, setting standards for elite event hospitality.
• Managed daily F&B operations of the sister four-star, 187-room Al Khozama Hotel and its associated office/apartment complex, including large-scale outside catering.
• Successfully launched The Globe Restaurant—at the time the world’s most expensive restaurant—located 250 meters atop an office tower, ensuring operational excellence and luxury service standards.
• Achieved annual revenues of US$30 million with a departmental profit margin of 30%, demonstrating strong financial management and business growth.
• Fostered cross-functional collaboration with design and operations teams to ensure consistency in brand standards and guest satisfaction across all venues. ATTRIBUTES
Visionary Leadership
Effective Communication
Strategic Thinking
Decision-Making Excellence
Emotional Intelligence
Team Building & Motivation
Conflict Resolution
Adaptability & Resilience
Stakeholder Influence
Problem-Solving
Emotional Intelligence
High Level of Accuracy
Time Management
BD CREATIVE
REFERENCES
HIGHLIGHTS
Available upon request.
WORK EXPERIENCE
HOTEL MANAGER
Sun International – Sun City Hotels and Resorts www.suninternational.co.za February 1999 – March 2000
Led the daily operations of multiple flagship properties within the Sun City complex, overseeing a large, diverse team and managing high-profile venues known for luxury and entertainment excellence.
Key Functions & Achievements:
• Managed The Cascades Hotel (236 rooms), Sun City Entertainment Center, Lost City Convention Center, and Sun City Vacation Club, coordinating a workforce of 600 staff.
• Achieved exceptional hotel occupancy rates of 97%, driving consistent revenue growth and maximizing asset utilization.
• Delivered strong financial performance with a 45% departmental profit margin for the convention center.
• Oversaw the retail emporium, including multiple retail outlets and tenant-operated restaurants, optimizing tenant relations and revenue streams.
• Implemented operational strategies that enhanced guest satisfaction and operational efficiency across all managed venues.
CAREER HISTORY
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER
Sun International – Sun City Hotels and Resorts
August 1997 – January 1999
Led operational consolidation and organizational restructuring across multiple major hospitality venues during a pivotal period. Oversaw daily operations, managed large-scale workforce realignment, and ensured financial performance and operational continuity within the non-gaming division.
BANQUET AND CONVENTION MANAGER
Sun International – Sun City Hotels and Resorts, Sun City, South Africa April 1997 – August 1997
Managed all operations of the Lost City Convention Center, the largest convention facility in the country at that time.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER
Sun International – Sun City Hotels and Resorts, Sun City, South Africa January 1995 – April 1997
Oversaw daily food and beverage operations at The Cabanas Hotel, a three-star property with 340 bedrooms.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER – THE CABANA BEACH HOTEL Southern Sun, Durban, South Africa
May 1993 – January 1995
Led the food and beverage operations at The Cabana Beach Hotel, enhancing service quality and operational efficiency in a high-volume coastal resort setting. SENIOR ASSISTANT FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGER – THE BREAKERS RESORT Southern Sun, Durban, South Africa
December 1991 – May 1993
Supported management of food and beverage services at The Breakers Resort, contributing to improved guest satisfaction and streamlined service delivery.
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