Celebrating Southern Sun's Leading Women, II

At Southern Sun, our dedication to gender equality is vividly demonstrated by the composition of our workforce – of which a remarkable 56% are women, and 38% of our executives and management are women. In this series of interviews showcasing some of Southern Sun’s top talent this Women’s Month, we proudly highlight the invaluable contributions of women in leadership roles within the group, showcasing the driving forces behind our continued success. Meet the inspiring women who are not only shaping our organisation but also shaping the future of contemporary business leadership.

An interview with operations director, Samantha Clingham

Samantha Clingham, Southern Sun operations director for the Western Cape & Eastern Cape regions, embodies a dynamic blend of qualities. Her solution-driven mindset, unwavering determination, and remarkable resilience are complemented by genuine sincerity, a healthy sense of humour and deep compassion. As a leader, she is straightforward, structured and consistent, as she fosters inclusivity while making resolute decisions. The team she leads are the first to mention the positive impact she makes, as she brings out the best in them with her sensible, balanced leadership style.

Family lies at the core of Samantha's values, underscored by a strong commitment to integrity. Samantha’s professional journey spans multiple senior management roles, encompassing both the retail sector and IT within the hospitality industry. Notably, her exceptional career path includes a tenure at the prestigious InterContinental OR Tambo Airport hotel, where she played a pivotal role in its award-winning success.

Here, Samantha shares valuable insights about the role of women in business as she reflects on her own impressive career and her unique recipe for sustainable success in the fast-paced world of hospitality:

Q: What is it that drives you to succeed every day; what motivates you daily?

A: I’m motivated by the satisfaction of overcoming complex problems and seeing the results thereof. It brings me a great deal of joy to witness the success of the people I have had a hand in developing and will continue to grow in the future.

Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in your career to date?

A: I was proud to have successfully steered the InterContinental OR Tambo Airport hotel for five years, during which time we received multiple accolades such as being awarded the “Best IHG Franchised Hotel in Africa”. Another outstanding achievement for me was when I was appointed as Southern Sun’s operations director for the Eastern Cape and Western Cape regions. With people development high on my priority list, during my current tenure, I have developed five Deputy General Managers to the extent that they have been promoted and are now General Managers at hotels within the group.

Q: What has been your biggest learning moment during your career?

A: Operating a hotel during the Covid-19 pandemic. While the rest of the country and the world closed their borders, hotels operated under very trying circumstances where regulations were fluid and change management was key. There was the added responsibility of ensuring that stranded guests were safe, comfortable and informed – as well as the need to effectively manage the hotel team required to deliver and remain on site at the hotel due to the travel restrictions at the time.

Q: How do you balance self-care and leadership responsibilities in the fast-paced hospitality industry?

A: For me, downtime is essential in order to operate in a leadership position in this industry, and I strongly believe in a lifestyle balance. I am fortunate to live in Cape Town where you are spoilt for choice with outdoor activities and an amazing assortment of culinary experiences on your doorstep – from countless wine farms to a multitude of restaurants. My weekend activities are varied and can involve anything from a moderate hike to lunch on a wine farm or at a restaurant with my family – who keep me grounded. I try to exercise at least three times a week and get eight hours of sleep, which is not always possible in this industry, but it is about making a conscious effort to fit it into your routine.

Q: Can you highlight a mentor or role model who has shaped your journey in the industry?

A: I am fortunate to have had multiple mentors and role models during various phases in my career, however one person who had a profound impact on me, or at least influenced my direction within the industry was renowned hotel GM, Sebastian Berinato ; as well as my husband, Allan Clingham , who pushed me to believe in myself and has supported me throughout my hotel career and continues to do so.

Q: What's the best advice you received that helped you excel in your career?

A: Visualise your success, set goals, avoid office politics, and stay true to yourself.

Q: What is your advice to those who are just starting out in their careers?

A: Believe in yourself, set goals, take initiative, be resilient, learn from your mistakes, and embrace continuous learning.

Q: How do you see the future of women in business leadership positions evolving?

A: Although the proportion of women in senior leadership roles grew globally by 32% in 2022, women are still underrepresented. However, with this continuous upward trend, I believe that the number of women occupying business leadership roles will continue to increase over time. It has been proven that companies with more women on their boards outperform those without them by significant margins. More than ever before, the women of today are more confident, career-driven, able to articulate their strengths, and they are better at projecting softer skills within the business environment.

As we continue celebrating Southern Sun's leading women this Women’s Month, we look forward to introducing another remarkable woman who exemplifies our group’s dedication to diversity and excellence. Check-in for the next inspiring interview – coming soon!

#WomenInLeadership #GenderDiversity #LeadershipJourney #WeAreSouthernSun #WomensMonth #LeadingWomen #WomenInHospitality ??????