Graham Wood assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the V&A Waterfront on 1 January 2026, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience across the Hospitality and Gaming industries. A qualified Chartered Accountant with further studies at academic institutions in South Africa and the United States, Graham combines sound commercial acumen with the kind of leadership and engagement skills that have defined a career at the top of some of Southern Africa’s most respected hospitality groups. Prior to joining the V&A, Graham served as Chief Operating Officer at Sun International Limited, where he led an integrated executive team responsible for the operational performance of the group’s Hotels, Resorts and Gaming properties — encompassing sales, marketing, revenue management, and casino support functions. Before that, he was Managing Director of Tsogo Sun Hotels (now Southern Sun Hotels) from 2008 to 2015, overseeing a portfolio of 95 hotels across South Africa. Graham steps into his new role with both humility and ambition, committed to building on the exceptional foundation laid by his predecessor and working alongside tenants and colleagues to advance the V&A’s vision of becoming the world’s most inspiring waterfront neighbourhood. At the African Boating Conference, Graham will speak to the V&A Waterfront’s unique position at the intersection of maritime heritage, tourism, and commercial development — and the role world-class waterfront precincts can play in unlocking Africa’s blue economy.