The Radisson Blu Hotel and Kigali Convention Centre, on Thursday, April 1, announced the appointment of seasoned hotelier, Rob Kucera, as their new Complex General Manager.

Also the District Director for Radisson Blu East Africa, Kucera brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, in a career that has taken him from South Africa, to Turkey, Uganda and his most recent assignment in Kenya.

In his work history, according to Radisson Blu, Kucera has stood out for his commitment towards mentoring employees and encouraging ownership of areas of management in the acclaimed hotels and resorts he has managed.

Due to such, he has received recognition from his peers and the hospitality industry on multiple occasions, Radisson Blu said in a press release.

Notably, Kucera led the Westin Cape Town team to the achievement of international recognition within the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Group, receiving the Best Team Collaboration Award (2015).

In 2004 he received the Protea Hotels General Manager of the Year Award at Protea Hotel President in Bantry Bay, Cape Town.

On an industrial level, he held the position of Chief Operations Officer at the Hospitality Property Fund Ltd the only dedicated hotel REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) in South Africa and whose market value is approximated at R4.6 billion.

Additionally, he played a key role in South African hospitality industry as Chairman of the FEDHASA Cape Board, the body responsible for monitoring the operations of over 700 companies in the Western Cape.

Radisson Blu described him as "a hands-on leader, with a track record of building strong and efficient teams, who aims to promote high energy and dynamic work environment to achieve revenue and non-revenue objectives.”

Kucera studied from highly respected institutions such as the University of Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg which accorded him a Citation with the status of Golden Circle Alumnus in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the South African Tourism & Hospitality Industry.

He did his Advanced General Manager Course at Cornell University, USA and is also a certified NQ (National Vocational Qualification) Assessor.