Angama Camp: NICKY FITZGERALD TO RETIRE

NAIROBI – 8 March 2022: It is with deep gratitude that Angama announces the retirement of Nicky Fitzgerald, having been at the forefront of over 60 high-end hotels, restaurants and safari lodges for four decades. After an adventure-filled 40-year career, Nicky hands Angama’s reins to co-founder Steve Mitchell

Nicky – who was drawn out of her first attempt at retirement by her late husband Steve to found Angama – leaves behind a remarkable legacy, following a career which began at the southern-most tip of Africa.

Prior to Angama, she played a leading role in developing two major brands: Halcyon Hotels in South Africa’s Western Cape and CC Africa/&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 travelers across the African continent and in India’s heartland – not to mention all the colleagues and associates within the industry whom she has influenced along the way.

“When Steve and I first welcomed guests at the Arniston Hotel in July of 1982, little did I know what a wonderful journey lay ahead. Looking after guests, sharing stories, and working alongside many remarkable people has been the adventure of a lifetime. If the truth be told, I’ve been trying to retire for years, but the time is now right and I will leave an Angama team that has never been stronger, and a robust business with exciting opportunities on the horizon. I am looking forward to spending more time with my beloved grand children and my family and friends”, said Nicky.

Nicky will be succeeded as Angama’s CEO by her co-founder and the current COO, Steve Mitchell, effective 1 July 2022.

On the appointment, Nicky adds, “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 advisor in the near term, while continuing to serve on the board as a shareholder in the business.

Kate will continue her role as Head of Business Development for Angama Camp, and I am very proud of her achievements over the past 7 years in her quest of finding our guests” and i want to let our Kenya tour operators and others that our luxury Fly-in Kenya safaris will remain as before.

Mitch commented, “I’m most grateful for all that Nicky has invested into Angama and the foundation she has laid as an operator, marketer and leader. She leaves behind enormous shoes to fill — for different shaped feet — and 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”.

To hear more from Nicky directly, read her latest blog on Leaving Out the Dull Parts.