One of South Africa’s longest-serving hotel bosses is retiring. Platinum Hospitality Holdings announced on Thursday that Chief Executive Officer Arthur Gillis – a veteran of five decades in the hospitality industry and CEO of the group for the past 12 years – will move to the role of Chairman. The Board has appointed Anton Gillis, currently the group’s Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer.
Gillis is one of the best-known names in African hospitality. As Managing Director of Protea Hotels for 26 years, he built the group from four hotels into the largest hotel group in Africa – 116 hotels across seven countries – and negotiated its sale to Marriott International in 2014 in a deal worth more than R2 billion, which made Marriott the largest hotel company on the continent. His tenure in the industry spans 50 years this year.
Platinum Hospitality Holdings is the hospitality group behind [portfolio descriptor – e.g. the Kruger Gate Hotel and a portfolio of hotel management and asset management businesses, including Hospitality Asset Management Company (HAMAC)].
The group said the transition is a planned succession designed to provide continuity and stability while positioning the business for its next phase of growth. As Chairman, Arthur Gillis will focus on long-term strategy, governance and mentoring the executive team; there are no plans for significant changes to the company’s management team or operations.
Governance process
The appointment followed a rigorous and independent board process, with Arthur Gillis recusing himself from all deliberations and decision-making. The Board said its unanimous decision recognised Anton Gillis’s contribution to Kruger Gate Hotel, to the Platinum Hospitality hotel companies and, in particular, to HAMAC, together with his qualifications, experience and track record.
“This partnership has grown from strength to strength over many years because it rests on trust, shared values and real transformation. Anton’s appointment is the natural next step, and we look forward to what we will build together in the years ahead,” said Chairman of Platinum Hospitality Holdings, Mr Sam Nematswerani.
“Fifty years in this industry have taught me that great hospitality businesses are built on people, standards and trust -and that the finest thing a leader can do is ensure those endure beyond him,” said Arthur Gillis. “I have every confidence that Anton is the right person to lead Platinum Hospitality Holdings into its next chapter, and I look forward to supporting him and our exceptional team as Chairman.”
“I am honoured to be given this opportunity,” said Anton Gillis. “The future of tourism in South Africa -and in particular Platinum Hospitality Holdings – is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to working with our exceptional team as we continue to build on the strong foundation that has been established.”
Strategy under the new structure
The group said it will strengthen its focus on hotel management contracts, pursue new market opportunities, enhance its revenue management capabilities, and accelerate digital marketing and commercial initiatives in support of long-term growth. The succession comes as South Africa’s tourism sector positions itself for expansion, with hospitality groups competing for management contracts and international visitor growth.
Non-executive Director/Investment Banking Origination: Investec Bank, David Kuming, commented: “Platinum Hospitality Holdings has consistently demonstrated the operational discipline and commercial ambition that make it an exciting partner. We see significant opportunity in this next phase – both in expanding the portfolio and in scaling the group’s Revenue Management Service, which offers independent and managed hotels access to institutional-grade revenue optimisation. Under Anton’s leadership, we believe the group is exceptionally well placed to capture the growth on offer in South African tourism.”
The Board expressed its gratitude to Arthur Gillis for his leadership and service, and its full confidence in the incoming Chief Executive.