Leeu Collection promotes Jean van der Walt to oversee UK business

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, in addition to her role as head of brand marketing.

Following a diploma in hospitality management from the International Hotel School in South Africa, she went on to work as reservations and brand manager at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek when it was bought by the Leeu Collection in 2015.

She has remained with the company since, initially working as a marketing executive for the group's Franschhoek properties, before being promoted to head of brand marketing and moving to the UK.

Van der Walt 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".

Leeu Collection has three boutique properties in South Africa and Linthwaite House in the UK, a 36-bedroom property in the UK in Windermere, with another property due to open in Florence, Italy in 2021.