The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa has announced the recipients of its 2025 Awards, recognising three leaders whose contributions have reshaped hospitality in Africa and beyond. This year’s honours go to David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront; William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor Hotels; and Hala Matar Choufany, President of HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia.
Selected by the FHS Africa Advisory Board—an esteemed group of senior industry leaders—these awards highlight individuals who embody the values FHS Africa seeks to champion: ethical leadership, inclusive development, and long-term impact.
William E. Heinecke is one of Asia’s most influential hospitality figures, with a career that spans nearly six decades. At 17, he launched his first company with just US$1,200, naming it ‘Minor’ in reference to his age. Today, Minor Hotels operates over 530 properties in 56 countries under brands such as Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Elewana, and Tivoli. His acquisition of NH Hotel Group in 2018 was a landmark move in global expansion. A passionate advocate for social and environmental causes, Heinecke established initiatives including the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation and the Heinecke Foundation for Education. Recognised globally with titles such as Corporate Hotelier of the World by HOTELS Magazine, he remains Chairman of Minor International, guiding both its strategy and social mission.
David Green has led Cape Town’s iconic V&A Waterfront since 2009, overseeing its transformation through more than R8 billion in investment. Under his leadership, the precinct has become a flagship for sustainable, inclusive urban development, supporting nearly 80,000 jobs and elevating local entrepreneurship. The launch of cultural and culinary destinations like the Zeitz MOCAA Museum and Makers Landing has bolstered the district’s appeal, while the Waterfront’s hospitality portfolio now includes 14 hotels and over 1,800 rooms. Green’s ethos—“Everything we do is viewed through the lenses of job creation, inclusivity, and sustainability”—is reflected in the precinct’s success as a dynamic, purpose-led destination.
Hala Matar Choufany, recipient of the FHS Excellence Award, has redefined hospitality advisory through her leadership of HVS across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. As the first woman to hold the presidency, she has led over 5,000 advisory mandates that have influenced hotel development, asset management, and investment strategy across the region. Her impact extends into education, thought leadership, and advocacy for responsible investment. “True leadership is not about titles or accolades,” she notes. “It’s defined by trust, integrity, and the impact created through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.”
Each award recipient will appear in a live one-on-one interview on the FHS Africa 2025 stage, offering attendees a rare opportunity to hear personal reflections and leadership insights from some of the industry’s most accomplished figures. These sessions are set to anchor the Summit’s thought leadership programme.
Matthew Weihs, Managing Director of The Bench—the organiser of FHS Africa—remarked, “We are absolutely delighted to be recognising William, Hala, and David at FHS Africa this year. Each of them represents the very best of our industry: visionary leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to positive change. Their stories are a testament to what is possible when passion meets purpose.”
Now in its second decade, FHS Africa (formerly the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum) brings together investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders from across the continent and beyond. By recognising the achievements of these three honourees, the 2025 awards highlight the calibre of leadership shaping the hospitality sector today and offer a platform for meaningful industry dialogue.
