Wessel Witthuhn (Past Speaker)

Wessel has extensive knowledge and experience in construction and development industries within Dubai, South Africa, various African Countries and certain Indian Ocean Countries. He has held directorship positions with Grinaker South Africa and various other companies, including listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. As General Manager of Grinaker Infrastructure Development in Johannesburg his role included negotiating with Parliamentary Ministers on many Public Private Partnership initiatives, including toll roads, airport privatizations and infrastructure development. He lectured at the University of Cape Town's Postgraduate programme, held the position of General Manager for the prestigious Al Rostamani Group in Dubai and held the position of President for IFA Hotels & Resorts Africa and Indian Ocean, and the Chief Operating Officer for Emerald Palace Group in Dubai.

Wessel’s extensive experience includes all facets of development, from concept to completion, including strategic planning, developing strategies and objectives for all new projects. His strengths lie with the ability to recognize potential development within countries, contract negotiation, value engineering on all aspects of a project, golf course design knowledge, resort master planning and managing the various assets held by the company.  Wessel's in-depth knowledge also greatly assists with internal hotel operations and the management of the hotel and resort assets, including his contract negotiation with various international hotel groups.

Wessel’s focus within Global Property Corporation has been consulting and managing the Project and Development Management process for various prominent firms within the MENA region.  This process includes Design Development, Construction Management & Project Management Services.  Wessel has successfully managed these projects by offering a fully comprehensive Development Management process, which is customized to suit the requirements of each individual client.  This process offers strategic guidance and full management of the entire development process – as such, GPC offered a professional, fully comprehensive and effective management solution for Project and Development services.

Wessel’s key responsibility with Drees & Sommer will be to lead and assist the hospitality team, thus extending the Drees & Sommer Hospitality services within these development and construction disciplines.