Belmond today announced the appointment of Steve Mitchell (Mitch) as Managing Director, Global Lodges, effective immediately. This appointment reflects the brand’s strategic ambition to expand its global lodge portfolio and advance its next phase of growth.
Mitch will play a pivotal role in developing Belmond’s future lodges worldwide, reinforcing the brand’s leadership in Slow Luxury travel through experiences rooted in nature and culture. He will also be responsible for leading Belmond’s existing safari lodges in Botswana: Eagle Island Lodge and Savute Elephant Lodge, with the focus on enhancing both guest and employee experiences, while fostering meaningful relationships with trade partners, local communities, and non-profit organisations to ensure lasting positive contributions to Botswana.
Mitch brings a distinctive and inspiring leadership profile, shaped by a combination of strong commercial acumen and a deep passion for purpose-led hospitality, and the role it can play in protecting the world’s most remarkable natural attractions. Most notably, Mitch co-founded Angama and served as its CEO, leading the business from an entrepreneurial start-up into a renowned African safari brand known for its highly personalised guest experiences and intentional impact. Over his twelve-year tenure, he guided Angama’s development in exceptional locations across East Africa, such as the Maasai Mara and Amboseli in Kenya. He also founded and led the Angama Foundation, an affiliated non-profit organisation which supports education, healthcare and conservation initiatives, ensuring that the business contributed positively to the communities and environments in which it operates.
Mitch will report to Iain Langridge, Vice President of Operations & Divisional Leader of Northern Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
