Attitude Property Limited (APL), a listed Mauritian real estate investment company, owning three of the hotel properties of the Attitude Group, announced the appointment of Natacha Emilien as its new Chairperson.
Mrs. Emilien, an independent director on the APL board since May 2022, brings a wealth of experience as an impact entrepreneur and intrapreneur. She has been deeply inspired by the Attitude brand and values since its inception, and is honoured to continue serving the group in this elevated leadership role.
“I am extremely grateful for the trust that Jean Michel Pitot, Group CEO of Attitude and the APL team have placed in me,” said Mrs. Emilien. “As Chairperson, my top priorities will be to maximize shareholder value through robust governance, regulatory compliance, proactive risk management, and ethical decision-making.”
Mrs. Emilien’s appointment as one of the few female Chairpersons of a listed organization in Mauritius is seen as a significant milestone for women in corporate leadership. “My journey is that of an ordinary Mauritian woman, and I hope it inspires the next generation of female leaders to aim high and realize their full potential,” she added.
Engineer by training, Natacha Emilien is the Deputy Group CEO of the CSI Energy Group, a network of companies operating in the energy transition sector in Africa. She is also an impact entrepreneur and a Business Strategy and Transformation facilitator, with more than 18 years of experience in building businesses from the ground up, in various fields such as engineering, global finance and innovation consulting. She is the founder of the Board of Good, a community of now 450 women leaders who are publicly candidates for Board positions in Mauritius. Natacha is an Ambassador of the UN Global Compact Target Gender Equality, the Country Chairperson (Mauritius) for African Women in Energy and Power and she was nominated on the Pan African Power List 2023 of Lean In Equity & Sustainability.
“Natacha Emilien’s experience is a good match for the Board’s strategic vision,” said Jean Michel Pitot. “We value her ability to challenge our thinking as we navigate the evolving hospitality landscape.”
The APL Board remains dedicated to steering the company toward sustainable growth, prioritizing strong governance, innovation, and long-term value creation.
This year, Attitude has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining B Corp certification, marking over 15 years of commitment to sustainable practices. This prestigious certification, overseen by NGO B Lab, stands for ‘Beneficial to humans and the living world’ and represents one of the most challenging international certifications for companies to earn. The certification process involves a rigorous evaluation of a company’s social, societal, and environmental impact, requiring renewal every two years. As a B Corp member, Attitude has now joined a global collective movement of more than 9000 businesses dedicated to creating positive impact through shared values and concrete sustainability goals.
About Attitude Property Limited
Attitude Property Limited (APL) is a leading Mauritian real estate investment company that owns and manages a portfolio of commercial and hospitality properties. APL is listed on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius and is a shareholder of Attitude Hospitality Limited, the operating company behind the Attitude brand of hotels and resorts.
About Attitude’s Gender Equality Policy
Attitude demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to gender equality through its dedicated Equality Committee. We implement concrete actions across both employee and customer experiences to combat gender stereotypes and promote inclusivity. For employees, initiatives include enhanced paternity leave, stereotype-free recruitment practices, and specialized training programs on breaking bias. On the customer front, Attitude ensures gender-neutral experiences throughout their services, from installing changing tables in all restrooms to offering age-based rather than gender-based gifts in their family-friendly hotels. The company maintains consistent inclusive language and marketing practices. These measures reflect Attitude’s holistic approach to creating an environment that empowers all individuals regardless of gender.
Questions to Natacha Emilien, Chairperson of Attitude Property Limited
As you step into this role as Chairperson, can you share how you are feeling both personally and professionally about this significant achievement in your career?
As an impact entrepreneur and intrapreneur, I have always admired the Attitude brand and values from its inception. So, when the CEO Jean Michel Pitot invited me to join the Board of Attitude Property Ltd (‘APL’) as an Independent Director in May 2022, I was thrilled to accept. This new nomination as Chairperson is a true honour, and I feel extremely grateful for the trust that Jean Michel Pitot and his team have placed in me. I am proud to continue serving the group and upholding its values to the best of my abilities as an Independent Director.
What strategic priorities do you plan to focus on during your mandate as Chairperson?
As a listed entity, APL’s primary focus is to fulfil our commitments to key stakeholders, particularly our shareholders, our client Attitude Hospitality Ltd, and the broader community. Our strategic priorities at the Board level are therefore centered on upholding accountability, ensuring transparency, and maximizing shareholder value.
What emerging trends and innovations in the hospitality industry do you see as the most exciting opportunities for APL in the coming years?
We are living in fascinating times, especially with the rise of Gen Z consumers who, as highly informed digital natives, seek remarkable and seamless life experiences while being also acutely aware of the urgent need to care for the planet and its communities. The recent B Corp Certification of the Attitude Group is an exciting milestone, positioning the group among the world’s leading impact-driven brands. The next challenge will be to embrace technology trends and innovations, and particularly to unlock the potential of AI to enhance acquisition, service, and operations, ensuring we remain competitive on the global stage.
Your appointment as Chairperson is a significant milestone for women in corporate leadership. How do you think this can serve as a positive signal for the business world, and what message do you hope it sends to aspiring female leaders?
I am a very ordinary Mauritian woman from an average background, raised by parents who were simple civil servants striving to provide their children with a good education. Like many, I have tried and failed numerous times in my life, still considering myself as a ‘work in progress.’ I believe this is why many women in Mauritius can easily relate to my journey. And if someone like me can rise to become one of the few female Chairpersons of listed organisations in Mauritius, then my message is that every woman in our country can aspire to the same. I firmly believe that a country where young women stop dreaming, stop setting goals and ambitions, is a country without a future. It is therefore our responsibility to showcase that relatable women leaders can achieve great things, inspiring the next generation to aim high. By shifting the narrative from ‘we (women) will never get there’ to ‘it’s possible for any of us,’ we help change the mindset of what is achievable. This is why I believe it is crucial for us—and the media—to share similar stories and positive signals with aspiring female leaders across the country.
