Green Route, Africa's foremost Destination Management Company, creating extraordinary experiences into six countries.
Tel: +27 (0)21 447 4021 Fax: +27 (0)21 447 4031
P O Box 12999, Mowbray, 7705 Head Office:
170 Lower Main Road,
Observatory, Cape Town,
South Africa www.greenroute.co.za
Green Route founder Glen Byrom (65) has led a colourful and varied life. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe (then Salisbury, Rhodesia) he has lived there all his life. After a 16-year career as a sports journalist and television presenter (he covered both the Munich 1972 and Moscow 1980 Olympics and was primarily a cricket and rugby writer) he started his own public relations and advertising agencies before being intrigued by the creative features of incentive travel. Thus Green Route was born at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in 1991 as the pioneering force as a specialist destination Management Company in all of southern Africa.
Kerry Raffray
Managing Director
I am a native Zimbabwean, but settled in my adopted home city of Cape Town some 10 years ago, after attaining my degree at the University of Cape Town. Every moment I spend working in the incentive industry uncovers new challenges, and takes me in exciting new directions. Over the last few years I have thoroughly enjoyed watching our team in Cape Town grow into a strong and enthusiastic unit. Walter Chrysler says "The real secret of life is enthusiasm... I like to see people get excited – they make a success of their lives!" That sums me up!
Bonny Robb
General Manager
I am a
Capetonian through and through. I have a passion for travelling and love
working as part of the creative Green Route team. My background is
originally from the financial sector having obtained a degree in Bachelor of
Commerce. There are many exciting changes taking place in Cape Town and the
Southern African region and I look forward to the new challenges this will
have on everyone concerned.
Julia Jackson
Senior Operations Project Manager
I am originally from the friendly city of Port Elizabeth. After completing my Law degree at the University of Stellenbosch I decided to stay on in Cape Town and complete my articles. I enjoyed this but it was not my passion. My true passion is people and showing them this diverse continent of ours that is Africa. Since being at Green Route I have met a wealth of interesting people and everyday opens up new challenges. I am a true believer of the saying "Carpe Diem".
Carryn Ortlepp
Senior Operations Project Manager
I have lived in Cape Town most of my life aside from a short stint in California and London after completing my Human Resources degree at the University of Cape Town. My career background is the hotel industry in Cape Town where my passion for tourism & hospitality was nurtured. There are many exciting challenges to working in Africa and I love showing people our beautiful and diverse region. What inspires me is seeing the delight on guests' faces when they spot their first of the Big 5, the awe-inspiring view from Table Mountain or any of our amazing sights - pure magic!
Tessa Owen
Operations Project Manager
Originally from the bustling city of Johannesburg and after 3 more years of city living in London, I decided to move to the very beautiful and chilled out world that Cape Town offers. I am fortunate enough to have done a fair share of travelling in my life and after 3 years of living in Cape Town, I would immediately confess that Cape Town is still my favourite. Travel, socialising and organising are easily three of my favourite pastimes which will without a doubt explain why I have been in the events industry for the past 5 ½ years. I have been with Green Route for 2 years now and will still admit that the best part of my day is meeting and working with friendly, passionate people from every corner of the world.
Mayra Scarpecci
Operations Project Manager
I was born and raised in Argentina until my family and I immigrated to Johannesburg in 1986, when I was 10 years old. I grew up in Johannesburg where I finished high school and obtained a translator’s certificate from the Supreme Court of South Africa. Some years later I decided to move to Cape Town where I have resided for the last 10 years. I am passionate about travelling so it comes as no surprise that I have been involved in the tourism industry in different capacities for the last 5 years. I have been part of the Green Route team for over 2 years. This has been a great opportunity for me and I have grown both professionally and personally. My passion extends to the love of music, swimming, movies, meditation and Pilates to name but a few of the things that make my life fulfilling.
Ashleigh Collyer
Operations Project Manager
I am a native Zimbabwean who moved to lovely Livingstone, Zambia 3 years ago. Although my pre Livingstone career was in Interiors and Project Management, it is my love of meeting and dealing with different people from different cultures and walks of life that lead me into Tourism. I thoroughly enjoy working in this ever evolving industry and look forward to the future challenges it will present.
Lesley Beahm
Director, East Africa
I'm Lesley, I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and spent my university years in South Africa, graduating from the University of Cape Town. I have spent more than half my life in Africa and the other half in the USA, living in Washington DC. I was part of Green Route's team pioneering incentive groups into the Elephant Hills Hotel at Victoria Falls. Then I pursued my love of the hospitality industry in London, working in corporate event management for a few years. I later married an American and moved to the US where I worked in private equity as Finance & Operations Manager for an investment firm. After many years of managing fund operations, I decided to move back to my roots to spearhead Green Route's East Africa initiative. I am passionate about Africa and my key requirements in life are new challenges and to love what I am doing! I have certainly found that here and continue to be amazed and inspired every day by the beauty of Africa and its people.
Shihaam Fakier
Operations Project Manager
Hi my name is Shihaam Fakier, born and bred Capetonian. After high school (1999) I decided that tourism is my passion and definitely a career path which will best suit my personality. I than followed my dream and did a Travel & Tourism Management course and graduated in 2002. Since then I have worked in all sectors of tourism ranging from leisure to business; FIT to group series and now finally the Incentive Market. I worked & lived in London for 2 years from 2005-2007 whereby I had extensive experience in the Events Industry. During my time in the UK I travelled quite a bit both personally and business related. My time overseas has definitely made me an all rounder in understanding culture and people which I find very intriguing. In my 2 years at Green Route everyday has added to more interesting chapters in my career and I definitely look forward to the next!
Michelle Bondesio
Green Tribe Manager
I am a South African of Irish Italian descent and have had the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe and South East Asia as well as reside in the UK for 6 years. Upon completion of my BA Degree and Higher Diploma in Journalism at Rhodes University, I embarked on an exciting 7 year career in Film & TV Production, basing myself in Cape Town, Johannesburg and then London. This led to project management experience in a variety of interesting fields and the ultimate return to my homeland and the tourism sector. I love the vibrant, diverse nature of our culture and land and enjoy being involved in promoting its unique splendour. My passion is sustainable tourism.
Fikiswa Zali
Accounts Assistant
My Name is Fikiswa Zali, I was born and raised in Stutterheim, Eastern Cape Province. I am currently the Accounts Assistant at Green Route. I grew up with a passion for accounting and travel industry.No doubt I have enjoyed being able to grow professionally within the company. It has kept me challenged and happy. I have learned so much along the way and my growth has given me a perspective on how the organization works and has helped me understand how Green Route does business. I have never met a manager at Green Route that hasn't promoted growth within the company. It's not just something they talk about it's something they do. Green Route believes in the people they cultivate and I am proud to be one of them.
