Belmond pays tribute to ‘true pioneer’ Celia Geyer

Hospitality group Belmond has paid tribute to Celia Geyer, its senior vice president of design and project development, who has died while on her honeymoon in Uganda.

Geyer and her husband David were in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park when they were attacked by a terrorist group linked to Islamic State on Saturday.

A statement from the Uganda Police Force said it sent its “deepest condolences” to the families of the couple.

Geyer joined Belmond in 2018 and led its global design and construction team on development projects.

She previously worked as vice president of architecture and design – EMEA at Hilton and at luxury hospitality design agency WATG and Wimberly Interiors.

Belmond said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the death of our colleague Celia Geyer along with her husband David, while on honeymoon in Uganda.

“A true pioneer at heart and a highly respected leader in our industry, Celia is a very much-loved member of our Belmond family and will be much missed.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Celia and David’s family.”

In a post on LinkedIn, Belmond chief executive Dan Ruff described Geyer as a “force of nature”.

Ruff wrote: “I will miss walking through a room in need of renovation, and watching her quick mind come up with many options on the spot. I will miss her ‘up for anything’ attitude, as we travelled the world and saw amazing things. I will miss the love she showed for her job, her team, her family, and of course, her dogs.

“A remarkable woman, a legend in her own right, gone way too soon.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Celia and David’s family and all our industry colleagues who mourn her loss.”

Image: Rafa Jodar / Shutterstock