Newmark Appoints Key Leaders to Steer Next Phase of Growth

Cape Town, 10 June 2025 – Newmark Hotels & Reserves, a leading hospitality management company with a growing portfolio of luxury properties across Africa and the Indian Ocean, has announced key leadership appointments as it enters an exciting new phase of expansion.

With 26 properties currently under management and several high-profile openings on the horizon, the group continues to build on its founding vision of delivering authentic, guest-centred hospitality experiences that reflect the unique character of each destination.

This announcement comes as Newmark ramps up preparations for the upcoming launches of Bupenyu Lodge near Victoria Falls (Q4 2025), Toro River Lodge in Limpopo, South Africa (Q1 2026), Thitaka Lodge in Namibia (Q1 2026), and The Lenox, a cultural landmark turned boutique hotel in Cape Town’s Gardens district (2027).

Executive Team Strengthened to Support Strategic Growth
Newmark welcomes Gareth Venner as Director of Sales, bringing over 20 years of experience in sales, operations and business development across the hospitality sector. Gareth has held senior roles at leading brands, including Accor, Tourvest and Marriott, with a proven track record in the corporate and leisure travel sectors.

“With Gareth’s commercial acumen and extensive industry relationships, we are sharpening our sales strategy across all market segments,” says Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves. “This role is pivotal in ensuring that each of our destinations performs to its full potential.”

Newmark also welcomes back Reinard Korf in the new role of Director of Business Systems & Group Operations. A seasoned international hotelier with experience spanning Africa, Europe, the Indian Ocean and Australasia, Reinard will lead operational performance, systems design, and infrastructure development across the group while also directly overseeing Newmark’s Africa-based properties in Uganda and Nigeria.

“I’m incredibly excited to be rejoining Newmark — a group I’ve long respected for its entrepreneurial spirit, standout properties, and bold vision for growth,” says Reinard. “My focus will be on creating scalable systems and operational excellence that can support long-term expansion.”

Former Group Director of Operations Michael Liffmann has transitioned into the role of Director of Pre-Openings and Portfolio Development, managing and leading pre-opening strategies for all new properties alongside Chief Growth Officer Dawid Kriegler and the New Business Development team.

In addition to pre-openings, Michael oversees the operational delivery of several key properties across the portfolio, including those in Mauritius and Zanzibar; our V&A Waterfront cluster, The Rockefeller, and The Winchester Boutique Hotel in Cape Town; as well as the group’s safari lodges in South Africa.

Regional Leadership Reinforced Across Key Properties
To further strengthen operational performance at the property level, Newmark has appointed two Regional General Managers from within its leadership ranks. Theunie Marais, General Manager at The Onyx Hotel in Cape Town, and Andrew Rosettenstein, General Manager at Future Found Sanctuary, have assumed expanded regional operations responsibilities, supporting properties within their respective portfolios.

A hospitality veteran with experience at One&Only, Four Seasons and The Saxon, Theunie brings depth, stability and strategic oversight to both city and wilderness locations.

Andrew’s extensive background across luxury hotels and game lodges, including previous tenures at Cape Grace, Le Quartier Français, Royal Malewane and Singita, adds meaningful strength to Newmark’s leadership across its wellness and safari properties.

“We are investing in the right people to lead us into the future,” adds Markovitz. “These appointments reflect not only our expansion but our commitment to consistently delivering the high standards and authentic experiences that our guests and partners have come to expect.”

Growing With Purpose: Newmark’s Trajectory
Founded in 2007, Newmark has steadily built a reputation for excellence, beginning with the Victoria & Alfred Hotel at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and later expanding into South Africa’s iconic safari regions, island destinations like Zanzibar and Mauritius, and city properties in Johannesburg, Lagos and Cape Town.

The launch of the One Mark, Infinite Journeys campaign earlier this year marked a pivotal moment for the group, reflecting the unique imprint of each property while celebrating the consistency of service, hospitality, and authenticity across the brand.

Today, Newmark’s growth is aligned with strong industry tailwinds. Africa is increasingly viewed as the next frontier for high-value tourism, with new air routes, relaxed visa policies, and a rising global appetite for conscious, experience-led travel.

According to the May 2025 World Tourism Barometer, Africa saw the strongest growth of any region globally in Q1 2025, recording a 9% year-on-year increase in international arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic figures by 16%. South Africa alone saw a 6% increase in visitor numbers, signalling sustained momentum across the continent. As global travel continues to rebound, Africa is outpacing other regions in growth, reinforcing its position as a sought-after destination for immersive wildlife, cultural and wellness experiences.

Newmark is well-positioned to lead this evolution.

“We have grown significantly in less than two decades,” says Markovitz. “But what sets us apart is that we’ve done so with intention, choosing properties with soul, hiring people with purpose, and building systems that allow us to scale with care. This is the next chapter of the Newmark journey, and our people are at the heart of it.”