MTM Luxury Lodging

James Simkins' Profile

As a senior partner and CEO since 2008, James is responsible for the overall leadership of MTM’s business with a particular emphasis, and love for, the art and science of designing, building and opening outstanding hotels. He was the primary influence in successful development of The Willows, Alderbrook Resort, Hotel 1000, The Ivy, The Liberty and Bardessono, some of MTM’s most unique properties.

Prior to joining his friend Jim Treadway at MTM in 2000 James had a distinguished international career with Westin Hotels & Resorts beginning at The Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg from 1972 to 1986. Following this assignment James earned executive leadership positions at The Kowloon Shangri-la (operated by Westin) and The Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles. In 1993, James’ success with these challenging assignments was recognized with a promotion to Vice President, Operations of Westin Asia Pacific where he led the development (and served as Managing Director) of two of Westin most significant new gems in Asia-the $620 million Westin Tokyo and the adaptive re-use project that became The Westin Sydney.

James graduated with a business degree from the University of South Africa and attended the University of Witwatersrand, where he studied Civil Engineering. Simkins also has the AH&LA Institute Diploma and has lectured in Engineering for Hospitality Management for that organization. In all locations, he has assumed a leadership role within the industry and was acknowledged by Leaders Magazine as one of the world’s top Hotel Managers.

James and Val have been married for 35 years and have two adult children. His passions (in interchangeable order) are family, work, travel, classic cars, koi, gardening, fine wines and rugby.