Leeu Collection has promoted Jean van der Walt to the role of Area General Manager, United Kingdom, based at the group’s Lake District property Linthwaite House. This is in addition to Jean’s current role as Head of Brand Marketing for the boutique hotel group.
Jean has a Diploma in Hospitality Management from the International Hotel School, Africa’s leading hospitality and culinary school. Since graduating, she has worked in various departments at some of the best hotels in her native South Africa.
Jean was working as Reservations and Brand Manager at the iconic Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek when it was bought by the Leeu Collection in 2015; she has remained with the company ever since, initially working as a Marketing Executive for the Franschhoek properties, before being promoted to Head of Brand Marketing and moving to the United Kingdom.
Commenting on her appointment, Jean said, “I am thrilled that this new position will allow me to put to good use all the experience I have gained in different hotel departments over the years and I look forward to the new challenges it will bring. Leeu Collection is a dynamic young brand and I am excited to grow with it”.
Owner and founder of the Leeu Collection Analjit Singh added, “It has been a pleasure to work with Jean over the last five years. During that time, she has proved her dedication and value to the Leeu Collection making it an obvious decision to promote from within the company. I very much look forward to working closely with her as we expand the brand over the coming years”.
ABOUT LEEU COLLECTION
Leeu Collection (in Sanskrit singh means lion, which is leeu in Afrikaans) comprises three five-star boutique properties in South Africa (Leeu Estates, a 23-room country house retreat and boutique winery in the Franschhoek valley; Leeu House, a 12-room hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village; and Le Quartier Français, a romantic 32-room hotel with two independent villas also located in the village) and Linthwaite House, an historic 36-bedroom property in the UK’s Lake District. Another Leeu property is due to open in Florence in 2021.
Leeu Collection works closely with leaders in the food and spa industries to ensure a first-class experience at all its properties. The world-renowned La Colombe team has restaurants at Leeu Estates and Le Quartier Français, while the award-winning Darren Badenhorst runs the F&B operations at Leeu Estates and Leeu House. In the UK, Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan oversees the food offering at Linthwaite House. South African brand Healing Earth, which is dedicated to award-winning quality, unparalleled service excellence and memorable experiences, manages the Leeu Spa in Franschhoek.
Extending beyond the hotels, Analjit Singh is a partner in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, which produces award-winning wines in the Swartland wine region some 80km north of Cape Town.
Everard Read in partnership with Leeu Collection is a considered space in Franschhoek showing modern and contemporary artworks by Southern African artists. The Gallery includes a sculpture garden, interspersed with herbs and vegetables and is located adjacent to Le Quartier Français.
