Court 6 Sheraton 51 McCarthy Drive Pietermaritzburg 3210

Tell 0333475905 (South Africa, +27) Cell 0824309977 (South Africa, +27) Email nico@in-africa.co.za

Nico Brandt
OPERATIONS SPECIALIST: HOTEL, FOOD AND BEVERAGE/ HOSPITALITY SECTOR
Results-driven goal directed professional with a proven ability to develop business profitability, reduce costs and identify continuous improvement opportunities. Flair for conceptualising and implementing innovative operational strategies

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
High energy levels Strong leadership qualities Creative flair, with strong logical problem identification and solving skills

KEY COMPETENCIES
Customer Care program development and implementation including surveys Increasing top line revenue and decreasing expenses through analysis and implementation of workable solutions to challenging areas of the business Development and Implementation of Marketing Strategies New business development, including full strategic and operational planning Menu design, costing and purchasing Kitchen Production and Controls Design and workflow planning of commercial kitchens and industrial kitchens Training and development of staff up to international standards Sound knowledge of administrative systems and computerised business systems Inception and co-ordination of project roll-outs and implementation of new projects Development, writing and implementation of Standard Operating Manuals Industrial Relations, NQF training in line with Thetas INTAC programme Writing of Job descriptions and performance management systems Running 240 bed five star mobile Safari Lodge Running of 120 room four star hotel in Middle East New Store openings More Than 15 (operations, menus and systems) Feasibility studies Hotel Openings Recruitment and Training of staff (Rooms Div, F&B, Accounts, Maintenance & Engineering, Sales & Marketing, Reservations, Human Resources)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 05/08/2005 Current Owner Operator Cignature Cakes and Catering Operating Partner Butcher Block Liberty Mall
Day-to-Day operational running of the 220 seater upmarket restaurant

In Africa Hospitality Services Owner / Manager

Key Performance Areas

I am currently self-employed and sub contracting to Hotels, Safari companies and Lodging properties. Upon returning from the Middle East I subcontracted to Haywards Luxury Safaris and Events as Operations executive, recruiting all staff for Safaris, building the mobile 5 star safari lodge including all utilities and services. Running the lodge and coordinating all activities i.e. staging, lighting, special events. Responsible for the day to day running of the lodge whilst operational including all departments and guest services. Events completed, Douw Steyn Function at Shambala Game Lodge, Corporate Conference for the Wesbank Group, Promotional Camp for Haywards Safaris at their sanctuary. I have catered for various functions in and around the Kruger National Park, year-end functions and launches. I have just returned from Nigeria where I was involved with operational feasibility studies, new hotel openings as well as operational systems implementation in all the departments throughout two hotels and a Casino.

Day to Day running of the 240 bed mobile lodge (*****five star rating) Overseeing housekeeping, rooms division, front of house, maintenance and utilities, food and beverage and hotel operations Analysing financial reports received from accountant to look into areas for improving Guest liaison and promotional interaction with prospective guests. Operational execution of event/safaris for big corporate companies. Actively assisting the CEO with promotional campaigns. Quality assurance, i.e. rooms, food and beverage, service and promotions. Managing logistics, I.e. transportation of equipment and personal Establishing purchasing lines for the business and ensuring the quality of the final product delivered. Assisting the production manager with problem resolutions for events/safaris Working on production schedule to plan the guests stay, including transportation of guests, rooming lists, luggage, game drives, artists performances, butler service to guests and actual itinerary when guests are in camp Assisting the activities manager in planning of guest activities, i.e. hot air balloon rides, archer, game drives and various other areas of entertainment. Coordinating activities of all key players when guests are in camp, executive chef, maitred manager, front of house manager, utilities manager, assistant general manager, activities manager, medical staff, butler crew, camp building crew. Drafting the Organisational board for both Haywards Safaris as well as Secluded Africa Lodges. Training of Hotel Staff All departments up to the standards as implemented throughout the various departments. Implementing standards and systems for rooms division, food and beverage and accounting GENERAL MANAGER (1 Year Contract with option to renew) Oasis by the Sea LLC and Sabco Catering LLC

15/06/2004 30/6/2005

Key Performance Areas Commercial centre management, lower level of Hotel property 18 tenants Management and Running of a four star luxury 120 room hotel privately owned by the royal family of Oman. Corporate and Leisure mix Development and conceptualisation of a local coffee shop brand to franchise through Middle East

Development and execution of a full marketing strategy for hotel, commercial centre as well as food and bev operations. Banqueting, conferencing and all other functions, menu planning & operations Implementation and development of operational strategies and systems Writing and implementation of HR procedures and policies (non existent on takeover) Proposed five-year project plan, Managing all food and beverage operations approved by board. o Lounge Night Club Project Value o The Med five star dining restaurant (*****Star Silver Service) around o Two Coffee Shops $ 1 400 000 o Godiva chocolates retail operations (Oman Franchise) o Banqueting, Conferences, Outdoor and private catering and events. Reduced business o Industrial Catering, Sultan Qaboos university, 3 year contract losses from around In house marketing of all products, including special functions/events $ 300000 in first External marketing to Tour operators, Wheels operators year, to breakeven. Full financial function, i.e. budgets, cost of sales, controllable operational expenses Profit of around Hygiene, Ohasa and HACCP requirements, implementation and maintenance $ 50000 projected Customer care and service implementation and training for second year. Developing and implementation of computerised business systems (Micros & Fidelio) First quarter profit Industrial relations, staff development and performance evaluations 2005 up HR functions, staff contracts, disciplinarys and filing $ 40 000 Strategic planning, developed a full five year business proposal that was approved by the BOD (board of directors)

01/08/2001 14/06/2004

GENERAL MANAGER Food and Beverage REGIONAL MANAGER Food and Beverage Kruger National Park Management of 5 outlets in and around Skukuza, Kruger, with turnover of R 30 million pa . Management of 4 outlets in the central region of Kruger, with turnover of R 15 million pa. Key Performance Areas Banqueting, conferencing and all other functions, menu planning & operations Implementation and development of operational strategies and systems Managing of Five outlets and departments o Selati Grill House, full a la carte restaurant (**** Star) o Day Visitors centre, curio centre and retail outlet o Quick service restaurant, fast food, deli and fmcg outlet o Restaurant, full buffet function (****Star) o Banqueting, Conferences, bush banquets, bush braais In house marketing of all products, including special functions/events External marketing to Tour operators, Wheels operators and Hotels Stock control Full financial function, i.e. budgets, cost of sales, controllable operational expenses Hygiene, Ohasa and HACCP requirements, implementation and maintenance Customer care and service implementation and training Staff development and training to NQ standards as laid down by Theta Developing and implementation of computerised business systems Industrial relations, staff development and performance evaluations HR functions, staff contracts, disciplinarys and filing Strategic planning, SWOT analysis utilising the Tows matrix After taking over this loss making region in Sept 2001, achieved net returns of 26% plus within the first year.

Motivation of outlet managers and +- 140 staff members Key Performance Areas Banqueting and menu planning Implementation and development of operational strategies and systems Marketing of all products, including special functions/events Developing and implementation of computerised business systems

Industrial relations, staff development and performance evaluations Motivation of outlet managers and +- 90 staff members

Achievements Re-design the entire groups menus in December 2001, reducing cost of sales down to 40% and boosting Net Profit significantly. Writing and implementation of the Groups standard operating manuals for food and beverage Implemented new stock control systems in the region, maintaining an average of more than 2% below the company requirement for cost of sales. Initiated highly successful branding project with OLA ice creams. Launched new business at Olifants, currently generating R 30 000 per month revenue in food and FMCG lines. Implemented internal marketing campaign for stores, exceeding monthly budgets with 20% plus Introduced, planned and implemented Bush Braais at Satara and olifants camps, adding 15% to revenue. Direct marketing of special events at Satara Camp added R 45000 to the restaurants turnover in July. Satara was awarded the best business unit award for operational and financial performance for the first year running 2002 financial, and has won the award again for the first half of 2003 financial. Obtaining performance driven bonus incentive Maintaining highest profit levels in Skukuza over the last three years Increasing a la carte turnover from +/- R 40000-00 per month to R 85000-00 in its third month after the re-vamp. 01/07/2000 30/07/2001 GENERAL AND PROJECT MANAGER Letaba Junction Letsitele

Letaba Junction was a new country lodge development launched in 2000, focussing on providing the consumer with an affordable high quality destination in the accommodation and food and beverage departments. Key role in every aspect of design and start-up, including all operational issues i.e. Training and development of staff (kitchen, front of house, back office and administration and landscaping). Due to unforeseen circumstances the project was abandoned at the end of July 2001, it will remain as a Boereclub. Full business plan available for perusal. Key Performance Areas: Co-ordinated all projects for exterior and interior designing. Conceptualising project (14 Unit Luxury 5 star rated country lodge) Writing, implementing and maintaining of business SOPs. Introducing Customer service and Guest relation programme. Marketing and advertising: developed a local news brochure and sold advertising space on it, also designed Letaba Junction advertising brochures. Designed, costed and implemented new menus. TREBLED Designed new kitchen and operational workflows. MONTHLY Developed and trained all staff to the required standards. TURNOVER Liasing with customers, suppliers, bank manager and company directors. Started all computerised business systems from scratch Achievements Organised local events such as Boeredag and Noot vir Noot with the local community, generating sales of R 20 000 plus for each 02/1999-03/2002 PARTNER: LINK DE MOZAMBIQUE Overland Transfer and Tour Company

Whilst still General Manager of Jazz time Caf, I entered into a partnership with Mr Will Nelson, whos family owns a resort in Mozambique (Morrungullo). My role was to compile and market tour packages for

overland transfer and tour business to that country, utilising air-conditioned VW microbuses. In March 2002 we ceased to operate due to the extensive floods in Mozambique.

EARLY CAREER SUMMARY

01/1998-/06/2000 10/1995-02/1998 05/1993-10/1995 12/1990-03/1993

Jazz Time Cafe Edgars Stores Ltd Scimitar Security Steers Fast Foods

Partner/ Manager (Nelspruit) Fin Manager/Controller Branch Manager Manager (Tygervalley), Area Manager (W/Cape), Partner/manager (Wynberg)

EDUCATIONAL & QUALIFICATIONS Diploma/degree 1986 1989 2006 Courses Present 2004 2004 2004 2002 2001 1996 1994 1994 1994 1993 1993 Matric 1985 Military Officers Training Oudtshoorn Academy (85213031BT) Lieutenant Rank B Com Marketing One-Year Completed Hotel Management Diploma International Hotel School (Complete 2007) (American Hotel and Lodging association Accredited) FGASA level 1(Field guides association of SA) Padi Advanced diver Performance Management Industrial Relations update Advanced culinary skills Guest house management Operational Finance Performance Appraisal Skills Industrial Relations Trauma counselling Operations Management Gen Health and Safety Certificate FGASA & THETHA PADI Global Solutions Global Solutions Nestle Home Study College SA Stratagem Edcon Edcon Edcon Coin Academy NOSA

National Senior Certificate

Riebeeck High School

COMPUTER PROFECIENCY

MS XP Professional, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Adobe PDF MS Projects Accounting Software (Pastel5.1) Hospitality software (Micros & Fidelio, Pilot, Easypos 5, Hotsoft) Graphic Design (Corel Draw 8) Database Management (Maximiser) 5

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS FGASA SATOUR SACA PADI REFERENCES Mr Raffy Kozajian Board of directors Sabco Group of Companies Tel +96824605458 Email: raffy@omantel.net.om Vice - Chairman Sabco LLC Tel +968 24704186 Chain Control Department, Edgars (previously store Controller) Tel: 011 495 6549 Owner Director S & N Packaging Cell 083 384 9990 Managing Director Natures Group Tell: 0828016564

Aymen bin Hamad Al bu Said Mr Craig Garroway Mr Will Nelson Mr Mike Devereaux

PERSONAL DETAILS Full Name ID Number Languages Drivers Licence Interests HOBBIES AND SPORT Golf Diving Wind Surfing Cooking Nico Brandt 6804105048085 Fluent English and Afrikaans, basic Zulu, Limited Arabic Code EB (10 and 02) Travelling, Cooking, Hiking, Diving, Wildlife photography