June 2024, National: Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have appointed Udayan Damodharan as the new Director of Talent and Culture. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 14 years across Accor makes Damodharan the astute leader in the category to enable and further elevate talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development for both the properties.

In his new role, Udayan will focus on creating a more positive and inclusive work environment. He’ll be appointing and retaining top talent, and developing training platforms to ensure that employees have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. He will bring to the forefront initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for the workforce of the property. With employee engagement as his priority, he plans to create an environment where staff can flourish and actively participate in Accor's development programs. Under Accor’s great vision for inclusive workforce, he will create a diverse manpower ecosystem across the society strata. Udayan plans to focus on collaborating with training institutions, establishing formal partnerships with hotel schools, and leveraging social media for active recruitment as well.

Udayan's experience encompasses pre-opening and successful launches of several properties across India, including Accor properties like Grand Mercure Bangalore and Novotel Kolkata. He is also committed to social responsibility and aims to actively engage hotel staff in CSR initiatives for both properties.

“I am thrilled to be joining Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim.” said Mr. Udayan Damodharan on his appointment. “Goa's hospitality sector is experiencing a surge in manpower recruitment, and Novotel is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this trend. Both the properties are going through a leadership transformation, and I am confident that my experience and expertise will be significant in helping the team achieve its goals. I am particularly passionate about creating a work environment where employees feel valued and empowered to grow their careers. This will be crucial to attracting and retaining top talent in Goa's dynamic hospitality market."

“I'm delighted to welcome Udayan to the Novotel Goa team.” exclaimed Mr. Sachin Maheshwary, General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim. “His passion for hospitality and proven track record with Accor properties, particularly in pre-openings, make him a perfect fit. Udayan's commitment to employee development aligns perfectly with our focus on creating a thriving workplace culture. I have no doubt he'll play a key role in attracting and retaining the best talent, allowing our team to continue exceeding guest expectations.”

Udayan has always loved a good challenge. After getting his diploma in Personnel Management, he jumped right into the hospitality industry, even though he didn't know much about it at first. He found the fast-paced world of hotels exciting, and he's been there ever since! A great team player who focuses on giving guests the best possible service without cutting corners, Udayan’s interests go beyond business. He understands the ins and outs of hotels and cares a lot about his employees, wanting to help them grow in their careers.