Profile

Andrew McLachlan

Founder & Managing Director
Develop Hotels Inc

Andrew McLachlan is a hotel developer and dealmaker who works exclusively on the owner side, helping investors, landowners and developers turn hospitality concepts into bankable projects. Over the past three decades he has led and closed more than 150 hotel, resort and lodge developments across 35 countries, representing over US$5 billion in project value, primarily across Africa and the Indian Ocean. Andrew is the founder of Develop Hotels Inc, a Cape Town–based hotel development management and advisory firm that works with owners and investors across the full project lifecycle — from concept and investment viability through to capital structuring, brand selection, development management and project delivery. In addition to development management and owner representation, Andrew also provides buy-side and sell-side advisory on hotel acquisitions, development partnerships and hospitality investment opportunities. Known for his pragmatic approach to hospitality development, Andrew focuses on protecting the investment case, managing development risk and ensuring projects are commercially viable before they are built. Before founding Develop Hotels Inc, Andrew held senior development roles with Hilton, Radisson Hotel Group, AfriNord Hotel Investments and Protea Hotels, where he led hotel expansion across Africa. Today he advises owners and investors on hotel developments and hospitality investments across Africa and other emerging markets.