Profile

Erwan Garnier

Senior Director, Development, Africa
Radisson Hotel Group

Erwan Garnier is the Senior Director Development, Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, based in Lisbon. He leads the Group’s strategic growth across the African continent, focusing on building a high-quality portfolio of hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments that create long-term value for owners, investors, and local communities. With more than twenty years of international hospitality experience, Erwan has developed strong expertise in hotel development and deal-making across Africa. He has sourced, negotiated, and signed a wide range of projects, including new builds, conversions, and mixed-use developments. His work is driven by a clear focus on strategic fit, financial performance, and long-term partnerships that reinforce Radisson Hotel Group's position as a leading international operator on the continent. Erwan began his career in hotel operations, where he discovered his passion for service and the energy of the hospitality industry. He progressed into General Manager roles with Accor in San Francisco and French Polynesia, gaining hands-on leadership experience in very different markets. He later joined Hilton Worldwide in London as Director Brand Performance Support, helping to strengthen hotel performance and brand standards across multiple properties. He then founded his own hospitality consulting firm, Mise en Place, in Rio de Janeiro, advising owners and investors on development and operational strategy. These roles across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa have shaped his global outlook and his ability to navigate diverse business environments. In his current role at Radisson Hotel Group, Erwan oversees the full development cycle in Africa. His responsibilities include sourcing opportunities, underwriting deals, managing due diligence, leading legal negotiations, and supporting asset management. He has a strong foundation in investment analysis, contract structuring, and risk assessment, and has worked across conversions, takeovers, franchises, and management agreements. He is known for combining strategic thinking with disciplined execution and for balancing owner expectations with brand standards and market realities. Erwan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Hotel Management School of Paris. He also earned an MBA in International Hospitality Management, with a major in Corporate Finance and Development, from Cornell University and ESSEC Group’s IMHI program. This mix of operational grounding and advanced business education underpins his approach, where every project is evaluated both as a guest experience and as a long-term investment. Fluent in French, English, Portuguese and Spanish, Erwan builds strong relationships across regions and cultures. Integrity, accountability, and collaboration guide his work, along with perseverance, adaptability, and constant curiosity. He is in his current role because it combines his passion for hospitality with his expertise in development. He is inspired by the opportunity to turn ideas into sustainable businesses that generate jobs, support local economies and connect people across cultures. Looking ahead, he aims to keep strengthening the Group’s leadership in Africa, expand its footprint in key cities and emerging destinations, mentor the next generation of talent and help deliver projects that leave a positive, lasting impact.