Marketing Director

Friendships! The one word that describes the reason I love this industry! Golf and tourism aside, my favourite memories aren’t the ones where I’ve played a good round, it’s all about who I played with on that day. Whether it was winning an IGTM tournament or around somewhere on a Pre-Fam in the Philippines… It’s the conversations I remember, not the scores, and those high fives will never fade away!

On a personal level, I’m a family man with 2 beautiful children and an amazing wife, who many of my colleagues and our partners have met. I’m based about 40 km northwest of Johannesburg and head up our office up here alongside Rory.

On the weekend you’ll find me on the lawn next to my “Braai” enjoying the best local meat, wine, and beer that South Africa has to offer. I love to holiday in the Eastern Cape in the beautiful town of St Francis, my favourite spot in the county.

Speaking about favourites, here are some of my top experiences in South Africa so far:

Golf Course: St Francis Links
Wine Farm: Diemersfontein (Make sure you try the Chocolate Pinotage!)
Game Lodge: Thornybush
Site-seeing: The Drakensberg (Hiking)
Hotel: Fancourt
Activity: Shark Cage Diving
Experience: Rovos Rail

Financial Manager

I have been working in the tourism industry for the past 11 years, mostly in financial and managerial roles. At Ascot Tours, I was initially employed as Systems Manager but then moved over to manage the financial side of things, as financial management is my greatest strength. I am passionate about sustainable business development and I strive to support the consulting staff and management with whatever they need.

Although I am an accountant by training, my interests are varied. Before finding my passion for finance and accounting, I had followed various other career paths before establishing my niche. I’ve had various valuable experiences, such as my time as an Event Organiser in London, Editor in Chief of a newspaper, and even a School Principal!

My other passion is writing. I am a published author with a love of both science and fiction. I love traveling to unfamiliar places filled with exotic stories, cultures, and tastes. My latest passion is gardening on my smallholding in the Swartland, where I am surrounded by mountains and horses. I am proudly South African and believe that South Africa’s scenic beauty, magnificent outdoors, sunny climate, and cultural diversity are well-matched with Ascot Tours’ reputation for sourcing the best experiences at competitive prices.

Some of the most unforgettable experiences I have had while working at Ascot Travel are:

Golf Course : Arabella, Hermanus
Wine farm : Rust enVrede, Stellenbosch
Game Lodge : Royal Malewane
Site-seeing : Stellenbosch &FranschoekWinelands
Hotel : Taj, Cape Town
Activity : Stargazing from a Starbed in the Makalali Bush – Garonga
Experience: Rovos Rail

Operations Manager

Having worked my way up from entry-level jobs to senior management, I have a detailed understanding of the work that needs to be done on multiple levels. From product accounts to consulting and booking logistics, I oversee all of the systems required to run a successful inbound tour operation.

As Ascot Tours’ General Manager, it’s my responsibility to ensure that we deliver quality service to our agents and that our product offering is appealing and competitively priced. I ensure that our staff is well trained and up to date with the latest developments within the Southern African Tourism industry, and that our systems, procedures, and software, support our team in doing their jobs to a world-class standard.

Although Ascot Tours excels in offering luxury holiday packages, in my own time I have a passion for rough-and-ready travel, and I love to explore less-established destinations to find their hidden gems. I enjoy visiting local cafes and bustling markets that are popular and come recommended by the locals. My favorite activity is to explore local cuisine, and I always try to bring back a few recipes to experiment with back home. To me, food is a way of making memories and integrating exceptional experiences into every-day life.

Some of my most treasured memories are:

Golf Course: Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay
Wine farm: Rust enVrede, Stellenbosch
Game Lodge: SabiSabi Bush Lodge
Site-seeing: Table Mountain
Hotel: The Mount Nelson, Cape Town
Activity: Tour of the Mpumalanga Panorama Route
Experience: The Zambezi Queen

Marketing Director | East Africa

I am currently the department head of our East African, Namibian & Victoria Falls operations. My role is to oversee the sales, marketing, product development, and operations for all of these incredible destinations.

I love my job, as I would describe myself as an energetic creative who has a passion for travel and tourism. For me, tourism is not just an industry. It is a way of life and a positive contributor to the development of our continent and our international relations.

I started my career in tourism many years ago at Tourvest where I spent 11 years developing and marketing destinations. This is when I discovered my love of travel. I later acquired a position at Sun International serving as the Group Manager for Business Development. I bring with me over 17 years’ worth of experience in the Tourism and Hospitality industry to Ascot, and I am learning more and more every day.

I am currently based at the Johannesburg office, where I have lived for most of my life. I consider myself a true “Jozi Boy” who thrives on the hustle, bustle, and energy of the big city. I live with my lovely wife, of whom I have had the privilege of being married for 15 years. My wife and my two children will always be the true inspiration for everything I do in life.

Some of my favourite destinations and experiences with Ascot Tours have been:

Golf Course: Leopard Creek for sure.
Wine Farm: L’Ormarins, for the Pierneef sketches and the car museum!
Game Lodge: Lion Sands Tinga, where I proposed to my wife!
Site-seeing: Vilakazi Street, Soweto
Hotel: Hemmingway’s, Nairobi
Activity: Dune boarding in Swakopmund
Experience: Walking Safari with the Masaai!

Managing Director and Founder

In 1996 I returned to South Africa from a 3-year adventure traveling the world when I had the idea to start a travel company. What initially started out as an idea for a company that provided tours for backpackers, later developed into South Africa’s leading golf travel and safari destination company.

It’s been a wonderful journey over the past 24 years, and it’s a journey that I have no intention of ending any time soon. The travel industry has introduced me to people and places that I could never dream of and I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many of these experiences with my two teenage daughters.

As a founding member of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) and a veteran of 21 International Golf Travel Markets, it’s been an absolute honour to be able to experience some of the world’s best golf destinations with some of the golf and travel industries most unbelievable characters.

Many of the agents that signed up with Ascot Tours in the early years are still working with us and all of these people have become good personal friends. It goes without saying that I love what I do and I am lucky enough to have a fantastic team of people working with me every step of the way.

They say when you love your job you never work a day in your life, and we all love what we do best – putting smiles on the faces of our clients and helping them to give their customers unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are some of my top experiences in South Africa to date:

Golf Course: Fancourt Links (without the wind)
Wine Farm: Ernie Els Wine Farm Experience
Game Lodge: Shamwari
Site-seeing: Sunset Cruise off Camps Bay
Hotel: Cape Grace
Activity: Wine-tasting in the vineyards
Experience: Rovos Rail (unbelievable)