Championing People First. Always.

How does Angama consistently rank among Travel + Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels in the World, five years in a row?! How does it sustain ten years of remarkable guest feedback and operational excellence in a world where over half a million hotels compete for recognition? 

To me, the answer is simple: our people are our edge, and leadership is our privilege. 

Having studied leadership for nearly two decades, I am convinced that our unwavering focus on leading people, rooted in iconic locations united by purpose, sets us apart. This belief has been lived, not just spoken, since day one. Our founder, Nicky Fitzgerald, has embodied this ethos for over a decade, driving a culture of care, consistency, and sacrifice. Her mantra is clear: People first. Always. 

Our focus on leadership and culture isn’t in response to failure or challenge. On the contrary, I joined Angama because leadership here is something rare. Something quietly powerful. We don’t fix what’s broken; we nurture what’s already exceptional. We do this not for the sake of tradition but because it fuels our North Star: 

Delighting guests through engaged and empowered teams - to generate profit, remain sustainable, and uplift the communities and ecosystems with whom we coexist. 

This isn’t about 'I', it is about we. We believe success is earned through people. 

We believe in teams that understand why they do what they do, who communicate openly, make informed decisions, and focus on meaningful outcomes. We believe culture is measured in our ability to learn, recover, adapt, and continuously improve. 

And how do we cultivate that culture? 

We anchor it in The Angama Way - our ethical compass and shared code of conduct. It guides not just what we do but how we do it. Our leadership team recently came together despite the distances separating our offices beneath Mount Kilimanjaro at Angama Amboseli. There, in a place that redefines serenity, we reconnected. It wasn’t a reset but a reframe. We focused on the essentials: leadership, communication, and trust. 

We learned. We laughed. We left aligned. 

Every day, I witness Kenyan, South African, and British leaders mastering their craft. I see them speak vulnerably, strive to grow, and lead with integrity. I watch them delight guests not through rigid processes but through smart decisions and seamless collaboration. I see male-dominated teams open up to emotional empathy and deeper connection because they know that authentic leadership is felt, not forced. This is culture in motion. This is leadership with intent. 

So yes, I can confidently say that our people are our competitive edge. Years of consistent, thoughtful leadership have shaped a team that delivers excellence with heart. It’s a privilege to serve this business, and our commitment to our people is total. 

Always.