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Intuitive, Immersive and Intelligent Partners

For the Hospitality Industry.

WHO WE ARE

Established in 2021, InnSight Advisory Africa is an award-winning, strategically sound and operationally smart hospitality advisory company working across Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean Islands.

With a strong track record in Strategy, Development, Operations and Advisory, the experienced team of Partners and Associates specialises in market demand studies, financial feasibilities, development, branding, commercial route-to-market solutions, superior operations and food & beverage advisory, guest journey planning, and localised launch guidance across regions and cultures. Our portfolio of work includes Hotels, Lodges, Branded Residences, Resorts and Mixed-use Developments.

InnSight is a perfect partner to developers, property owners, investors, professionals, and management companies, who are seeking superior returns for their properties – or prudent greenfield advice and supervision for new projects.

The firm is led by three partners: Mike Devereux, Mark Jakins and Caitlin Winson. We work from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek and Dubai, where InnSight Advisory Middle East is based – and through a network of associates and specialist advisers who bring depth in development, operations, finance, food and beverage, revenue management, systems and technology, and design.

We pride ourselves in delivering superior business implementation plans in straightforward speak and always with a partnership mentality. We call this the InnSight Way.

Taking Hospitality Personally

Mission

To deliver innovative, personal and intelligent hospitality solutions that build trust, drive growth and create real value for owners.

View Our Case Studies

Vision

To be the trusted advisory partner of choice for any hospitality company, setting new standards in strategy, development, branding and operationally smart solutions, to deliver results for clients.

View Our Case Studies

At InnSight Advisory, our values define who we are and guide how we work. These principles drive our dedication to delivering impactful results for our clients.

Personal

We respect individual client needs and will strive to build a strong personal relationship with you.

Integrity

Uphold honesty, transparency, and trust in every partnership.

Communication

We talk to you honestly, accurately and regularly and adhere to timelines.

Innovation

Embrace creativity to deliver future-proof solutions.

Collaboration

We work in partnership with your team to achieve shared success.

Sustainability

Prioritise environmental and community care in every project, balancing profit with purpose.

Excellence

Strive for the highest standards and best value-for-money in all aspects of hospitality advisory.

OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

InnSight Advisory offers our cumulative expertise across strategy, development, operations management, branding, and commercial planning. This robust foundation enables the delivery of tailored solutions that consistently drive results.

Expertise: Decades of excellence in strategy, operations, branding, and commercial planning.

Tailored Approach: A bespoke advisory approach working alongside owners and your team.

Proven Success: A strong track record of delivering results across Africa and Indian Ocean islands.

Delivering impact where it matters most. InnSight delivers advisory services that drive measurable success across the hospitality landscape.

Tested in Operations: Decades of strategy and operations excellence by the team in blue-chip hospitality companies.

Award-Winning Expertise: Recognised by the MEA Business Awards 2025 for Advisory and Branding excellence across Africa.

Tailored Approach: A bespoke, owner-led advisory solutions approach. We work alongside you and your team – not from a distance.

Proven Success: A strong and growing Advisory track record of delivering results across Southern Africa, East Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, and the Middle East.

Full-Service Capability: Feasibility to development oversight and delivery, branding, operations, asset management, and deal origination – we support the entire hospitality value chain with dedicated specialist expertise at every stage.

Sustainability Driven: Strategies that balance profit with purpose.

Our relationships endure: We stay in contact with our previous clients, sharing success stories and progress, and some now work with us. Others are generous enough to refer work to us. We think that this says more about how we work than any fancy words do.

Delivering impact where it matters most.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

In 2025, InnSight Advisory was recognised with two prestigious accolades at the MEA Business Awards: Best Hospitality Advisory Firm – Africa and Branding & Development Excellence – Africa. These awards reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional, results-driven hospitality solutions for our clients across the continent.

Read the full announcement →

MEET THE TEAM

The InnSight Advisory Africa team – a collection of experienced hospitality experts who have worked across blue-chip international brands and organisations, and who offer multi-disciplinary capabilities, combining smart strategy with strong operations nous, to deliver superior results.

Managing Partner Business Development

Mike Devereux

Michael Devereux is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience in hotel acquisitions, development, and operations across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region. As an Executive Director of InnSight, Michael has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s hotel landscape. His expertise spans project design, turnkey developments, corporate strategy, brand expansion and business development for leading global hotel groups.

Key Experience & Exposure

  • Leadership & Advisory: Executive Director at InnSight, providing strategic hospitality management and advisory services.
  • Hotel Development & Brand Expansion: Former Senior Development Director at Hilton Sub-Saharan Africa and Business Development Director at Starwood/Marriott, driving the growth of 48+ hotel brands in the region.
  • Notable Projects: Spearheaded the establishment of six Four Points by Sheraton hotels in East Africa. Numerous high profile Hotel deal oversight roles across Africa
  • Operational & Project Expertise: Extensive experience in hotel operations, project design, and turnkey developments. Previous owner and operator of independent restaurants.
  • Consultancy & Corporate Strategy: Former Development Manager at Legacy Hotels & Resorts and various managerial roles at Southern Sun and Sun International.
  • Education & Personal Interests: Holds a National Diploma in Hospitality Management from Wits Hotel School; passionate about cooking, entertaining, golf, cycling, and fine wines.
Managing Partner Advisory

Mark Jakins

Mark Jakins is a highly accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience in strategy, marketing, and operations, and Board experience, across the hospitality, media, and FMCG industries. As Executive Director of InnSight and Founder of Futuredrum, he specialises in driving commercial success, revenue growth, and brand development. With a track record of leadership in major hospitality groups, media corporations, and consumer brands, Mark has played a key role in transforming businesses through strategic innovation, commercial interventions and operational excellence.

Key Experience & Exposure

  • Leadership & Advisory: Executive Director at InnSight and Founder of Futuredrum, focusing on business transformation and revenue growth.
  • Hospitality & Gaming Expertise: Former Group Marketing and Operations Executive at Peermont Hotels & Casinos, with Subsidiary Board roles overseeing operations, brand launches, commercial performance, and strategic planning.
  • Brand, Marketing and Sales Strategy: Senior management roles at Premier Hotels & Resorts, Budget Car Rental, Southern Sun, Sun International, Unilever, and Nabisco, driving brand expansion and commercial results.
  • Media & Broadcasting Leadership: Former Chief Executive: Commercial Enterprises at the SABC, leading brand portfolio strategy, commercial operations and the successful commercial turnaround strategy for 23 radio and TV channels, Multi-media departments, ancillary divisions and TV Licences.
  • Industry Recognition & Contributions: Named one of South Africa’s top marketers (Sunday Times, 2004 & 2005), co-founder of the Marketing Association of SA, and Trustee of Vega School.
  • Education & Personal Interests: Holds a B Soc Sciences (Economics & Marketing) from UKZN; passionate about golf, tennis, wildlife photography, and media, including a hobby as a previous Hot 102.7 radio sports presenter.
Partner

Caitlin Du Preez Winson

Caitlin is a dynamic hospitality and marketing professional with over 15 years of award-winning experience across the advertising, marketing, events, and catering industries. She combines her expertise as a qualified chef with a strategic marketing acumen honed through global brand leadership. Caitlin has successfully launched and managed high-profile brands, demonstrating her ability to integrate operational insights with impactful marketing strategies.

Key Experience & Exposure

  • Hospitality & Culinary Expertise: Began her career in the kitchens of The Hyatt Rosebank and Michelangelo Sandton, later catering for high-profile clients such as Zunaid Moti and the Mandela family.
  • Brand Leadership & Marketing Strategy: Spearheaded marketing initiatives for Lufthansa, SWISS, Samsung, and played a key role in launching Starbucks and Domino’s Pizza in South Africa.
  • Global Brand Expansion: Former Group Marketing Executive and Brand Custodian for Galito’s Flame-Grilled Chicken, overseeing marketing and operations across 16 countries.
  • Agency & Corporate Marketing Experience: Managed client portfolios at Artifact Advertising, working with major brands such as Taste Holdings, Innscor/Simbisa, and Disney.
  • Board & Executive Roles: Held Directorship at Jackal Creek Golf Estate and served on the Executive Board of Galito’s Holdings.
  • Education & Personal Interests: Holds a Higher Diploma in Professional Cookery and Culinary Management, a Global Wine Diploma from the Cape Wine Academy, and a Digital Marketing Specialisation from UCT. A 200-hour qualified yoga instructor, she enjoys travel, cultural exploration, and spending time with her family.
Norbert Wurm – Senior Associate: Namibia
Experienced Financial Executive for Capital Raising, Investment modelling, Operations, Mergers and Acquisitions and Strategic Planning
Anton Bawab – Partner and Managing Director, InnSight Middle East
Experienced hospitality executive in corporate structuring, hotel operations and development across Europe and the Middle East, with senior leadership roles at Red Sea Global, Viceroy Hotel Group and Mubadala.
Dom & Sam Moleta – Associates: Mauritius
Experienced luxury hospitality and lifestyle specialists with over 30 years of combined expertise, providing on-the-ground advisory support, project coordination, and local market insight across the Indian Ocean Islands.
Elri Neervoort – Senior Associate: Financial Management
Accomplished Hospitality Financial lead in South Africa for operations and projects
Imtiaz Amod – Senior Associate: Hospitality & Tourism Technology
Experienced Hospitality systems, revenue management and reservations expert, with a strong project management and implementation track record
Mark Boyd – Senior Associate: Development & Project Management
Specialist in turnkey hospitality project management with 30+ years' experience across major hotel and gaming developments in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, including Sun International and Tsogo Sun/ Southern Sun Hotels Groups.
Bruce McKay – Senior Associate: F&B Strategy & Operations
Award-winning hospitality executive, Executive Head Chef, and Food & Beverage operations specialist with over 35 years of experience across top hotel properties in South Africa and the continent.
Paul Leishman – Associate: Golfing Projects
Award-winning Golfing Hospitality expert and lead for Golf Project Management
Robin Nicholson – Senior Associate: Business Rescue and Turnarounds
Professional Business Rescue Practitioner and seasoned Turnaround Strategy Specialist in Management and Financial restructuring
Tebogo Maoto – Senior Associate: Business Rescue and Turnarounds
Professional in financial structuring, corporate recovery, governance and strategic business solutions
Jacques Jacobs – Associate: Project and Property Management
Built & site environment professional in project management and real estate construction management
Tim Cooper – Associate: Project and Property Management
Project Director and specialist project and construction management management for Hospitality, Harbour and Legacy projects
Adri Williams – Associate: Recruitment

Global Expertise, Local Impact

We align seamlessly with our Middle East office and regional partners to provide hospitality best practice and locally, tailored advisory solutions. Whether acquiring or doing feasibilities, developing or launching new properties, repositioning assets with curated brands or international affiliations – or improving profitability – we are the intuitive, immersive, and intelligent partner you need.

Let’s shape the future of hospitality together!