Keith Motsi has carved a truly unique path through the hospitality industry. Having been born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, UK, he now finds himself at the reins of one of Asia’s top luxury hotel bars.

“I started working at Jake’s Bar in Leeds, which is an institution,” says Motsi. “I began collecting glasses at the weekends before I was old enough to serve alcohol and even then I knew hospitality seemed the industry for me.”

Motsi did attempt an alternative path when he moved to London to study architecture at university, which he describes as the “best worst mistake” he’s ever made.

“I discovered Trailer Happiness and that was the end of my university career. I basically never turned up.”

However, having spent some time training under Arc Inspirations in the north of England, he eventually landed a job at the original Soho House on Greek Street. 

“That was fun man,” says Motsi. “It was my first taste of luxury but it was relaxed at the same time. But working in a members’ bar, I wasn’t very well known in the industry.