One of the most famous names in the safari industry, Nicky Fitzgerald, is to retire after an adventure-filled 40-year career. She is handing over the reins of Angama to its co-founder, the current COO, Steve Mitchell. This will take effect on July 1.
The Fitzgeralds took over the Arniston Hotel in 1982 and since then, Nicky has been at the forefront of over 60 high-end hotels, restaurants and safari lodges over four decades. She played a leading role in developing two major brands: Halcyon Hotels in South Africa’s Western Cape and CC Africa (later becoming &Beyond); establishing, operating and marketing household names such as Blues Restaurant and The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay, Phinda, Sossusvlei, Sandibe, Matetsi, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, and Mnemba Island, to name just a few.
Over the course of her career, she has shaped how to both find and care for luxury adventure travellers across the African continent and in India’s heartland. She founded Angama along with her late husband, Steve Fitzgerald, who passed away in 2017.
“I am looking forward to spending more time with my beloved grandchildren and my family and friends,” said Nicky.
On the appointment of Mitchell, she added: “I have worked with ‘Mitch’ for the better part of 15 years, and we share the same values and ethics. He was my choice as a successor and is the driving force behind Angama’s new project in Amboseli. I am confident that Angama’s future is in the best hands with him at the helm and I look forward to supporting him as an adviser in the near term, while continuing to serve on the board as a shareholder in the business. Kate (Nicky’s daughter) will continue her role as Head of Business Development for Angama, and I am very proud of her achievements over the past seven years in her quest of finding our guests.”
“I’m most grateful for all that Nicky has invested into Angama and the foundation she has laid as an operator, marketer and leader… I am excited to take up the mantle with Angama’s people-first approach to hospitality, and to lead the team as we write the next chapter in Angama’s story,” said Mitchell.
