With a passport full of paradise and a heart for people Brett Castleman brings his global experience and his unmistakable warmth to Kokomo Private Island as our new General Manager.
For Brett Castleman, the road to Kokomo Private Island was paved with turquoise waters and a love for culture. “Most of my career has been spent working in island locations including The Seychelles, Zanzibar, The Maldives, Antigua, St Lucia and Jamaica. I love working with different cultures and enjoy the island lifestyle.”
But after years helming large-scale properties around the world, including a 300-room resort in St Vincent, something shifted. He found himself missing what first drew him to hospitality: connection. “After meeting with the company directors of Kokomo, I felt that the company culture was exactly what I was looking for. A company that always puts its guests and staff first, encouraging sustainability whilst creating a family culture… The passion for Kokomo is contagious.”
For Brett, Kokomo’s appeal lies not just in its breathtaking setting, but in its scale - small enough to be personal, exclusive enough to be immersive. “The exclusivity and size of the property also really appealed to me, as it gives me the opportunity to meet all the guests and have a real hands-on management approach.”
That intimacy extends behind the scenes with collaboration a key component of Brett’s everyday island life. “A lot of people underestimate the complexities of a remote island resort,” he explains. “No department works autonomously, and they cannot be successful without the support of the other departments.” Daily communication, cross-training, and empathy are core to his leadership. “When the management team work together with respect and compassion for each other, it affects the entire team at the resort.”
And it shows in the guest experience. “It’s the natural beauty of the island… as well as the amazing staff at the resort. The staff’s welcoming nature and gift for hospitality is not something that can be trained, it’s just in the culture. Its personal service supported by genuine warmth, personality and kindness – and a very wicked sense of humour!”
Brett is also deeply invested in sustainability, and he’s already rolled up his sleeves, quite literally. “We’ve upgraded the farming facilities and employed additional staff… It’s wonderful to see our organic home-grown produce being served to our guests.” For Brett, sustainability is about more than food. “We’re reducing our carbon footprint while providing additional employment and skills for local staff, skills that can be used in villages to generate food and income.”
He also sees enormous potential in Kokomo’s existing coral rejuvenation work and believes that preserving the surrounding environment is part of the resort’s duty. “Protecting the environment so that our guests get to enjoy the unique reefs and marine life is a win for all.”
As for what guests are really seeking, it’s not just luxury, it’s belonging. “Travellers’ expectations have changed… People don’t just want to visit a beautiful place they want to connect with people and have authentic experiences.” Many guests return year after year, drawn back not by the villa specs (world class as they are), but by the sense of being remembered. “They all say it’s the feeling of being a family and the warmth of the staff that they keep coming back for.”
To that end, Brett makes a point of meeting every guest. “I believe that personal interaction is very important. It’s important to make all our guests feel welcomed and appreciated.”
His approach to leadership is simple but powerful: “People, Service, Memories. You can have a beautiful product, but if your team is unhappy, you’ll never create that extra special factor that keeps guests returning. Life is about creating memories, and if we can all play a part in creating a beautiful memory for a guest, then we’ve achieved our goals.”