Britt More, one of the owners of More, will be remembered for her kindness and passion. She died on Sunday after she was hit by a car on her morning run. She was rushed to hospital but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
Britt came from modest beginnings, paying for her university textbooks with modelling fees, but would go on to found one of the leading boutique safari lodge and city hotel companies.
A cum laude Law graduate from the University of Witwatersrand, Britt took a job in the sales department at Protea Hotels at the age of 25, despite offers to join several leading law firms.
At only 27, she headed up the entire national sales team and was later appointed to manage its international sales arm. When Protea Hotels launched its upmarket African Pride brand in 2001, Britt was responsible for putting together a business plan and creating a sales team.
Britt, then van Niekerk, met Robert More at Lion Sands, which was looking to sign a deal with African Pride. Two years later, they started dating and a year later they were married. In 2005, Britt left Protea Hotels to join her husband’s family business.
In 2010, Britt and Robert, together with Peter John Scott, launched More Hotels, a boutique hotel operations management company that would later be rebranded More.
Sheree Simpson, Director at Africa in Your Hands, described Britt as the kindest person she knew, with the biggest heart. “She was an inspiration to everyone she knew.”
Britt’s selfless nature was also emphasised by Hilton Walker, sales and reservations director at Great Plains Conservation, who described her as one of the gentlest souls. Professionally, he said she was very dedicated and conscientious. He also described her as a “shining light” and a “role model”.
“Britt was an exceptionally insightful and clear-thinking individual, who was always able to provide a very interesting strategic view during various Satsa workshops and forums,” said David Frost, ceo of Satsa.
Britt is survived by her husband, Robert, and their seven-year-old twins Mackenzie and Madison as well as her parents, Cecilia and Van, and her sisters Taryn, Lynn and Liezl. Robert said the family had been completely overwhelmed by the support they had received and were taking time to come to terms with the loss.
