Michael Pownall

Managing Partner- Africa & Middle East
Valor Hospitality Partners

Michael has worked on 4 continents in his enviable and highly acclaimed 30+ year career. After early years in the UK his international career began in Cape Town, South Africa, culminating with his appointment as General Manager Mount Nelson Hotel in 2000. Several successful and prestigious roles followed, including MD & GM of luxury Keswick Hall Hotel & Golf Estate, USA (Orient Express Hotels), Chief Executive of famous Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados in 2005 and MD Africa, Taj Hotels & Resorts which included the launch of Taj Cape Town by late-2008. In 2014 Michael joined long-time friends and industry veterans to establish Valor Hospitality Partners globally and launch Valor Africa, in the capacity of Managing Partner. Valor Middle East & CIS was added on in 2020 and now with 100+ operating hotels globally, the company continues to grow from strength to strength.