Appointment | The Westin Hyderabad appoint Rajesh Kandagtla as Head Pastry Chef

An avid and skilled pastry chef with over 15 years of experience in an array of environments, Rajesh Kandagatla has recently been appointed as the pastry chef at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace. With innovative ideas and unique recipes, he has created an exclusive style for himself.

Kandagatla’s career has spanned over regions including Hyderabad, Mumbai Chennai, and New Delhi. Always inclined towards bakery and pastry, he has maneuvered his specialty throughout his career. The hotels he has worked with include Le Meridien Hyderabad, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Juhu and JW Marriott Aerocity. He’s also worked with Carnival Cruise Lines in the United States of America and Viking cruise lines in Italy. Prior to his appointment at The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, Kandagatla held the position of head pastry chef at Karachi Bakery.

Appointment | St.regis mumbai appoint chef taj the mantle of colonial indian cuisine

CHEF TAJ TAKES ON THE MANTLE  OF COLONIAL INDIAN CUISINE

AT THE SAHIB ROOM & KIPLING BAR, Level 9M, THE ST. REGIS MUMBAI

Redolent of the vintage era with storied tradition, The Sahib Room at The St. Regis Mumbai is renowned for its robust Indian delicacies and flavours.  The venue in all its glory, will have at its helm, Chef Taj, bringing his inimitable style of innovation blended to perfection.

A curious learner, Chef Taj, spent his early years in a quaint village near Lucknow listening to his friends tales of the rise of innovative Indian cuisine in the cities.  He was especially intrigued by the origin and success of Tunday Kebabs and the burgeoning appreciation of Lucknowi cuisine, which fuelled his ambition to embark on a culinary career.

Chef Taj spent his first year at the famed Tunday Kebab.  His enthusiasm and ability to engage with guests soon earned him a place with Jiggs Kalra, better known as "czar of Indian cuisine" and "tastemaker to the Nation."  This was the turning point in his life, he was astounded with the respect and glamour that a master of cuisine commanded.  He was a quick learner and learnt the nuances of innovative techniques while mastering the style of culinary presentations. Chef Taj has since been on a path of gastronomic growth, moving up the ladder of success as he gained a reputation as an innovative chef who cooks from the heart.

Armed with his recently honed skills, he transitioned into the world of hotels over the years and soon joined Marriott International with the JW Marriott brand.  His stints with the varied hotels include leading Saffron at JW Marriott, one of the most popular Indian venues in Chandigarh and Hyderabad. Chef Taj will now head The Sahib Room and Kipling Bar, bringing his style of innovation and presentation to this much-loved venue.

His foray into The St. Regis Mumbai will be announced with a special menu comprising Chef Taj’s signature delicacies like Kacche Kele ki Karari Tikki, Bhune Til aur Zimmikand ki Shammi, Murg Banno Kebab, Shalgam Ghosht to name a few, all teamed with a collection of innovative and traditional breads like Doodhiya Kulcha, Methi Choori and Makki ki Roti.  Chef Taj enjoys engaging with his guests and presenting his dishes while recounting the unique history and tradition behind each dish.

In his personal time, he loves watching movies and enjoys bowling. Having tied the knot recently, holidays are spent trying out new dining venues with his wife.  He takes time to learn the nuances of all types of Indian cuisines.  Adept at creating Kashmiri & Punjabi favourites, he also has developed a deep understanding of Hyderabadi fare and Khandhari cuisine.  He is now on the path of learning and understanding the varied style of Bengali and Kerala cuisine in his spare time

Appointment | Anantara appoints two new general managers for lavish Oman resorts

Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas has named new general managers at both of its Oman resorts. Andrea Orrú leads Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, while Maren Kuehl leads Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort.

Andrea Orrú

General manager Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Andrea Orrú – general manager Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

Andrea Orrú has been part of the team at Minor Hotels, Anantara’s parent company, since 2013. To join the Thai hotel group, he put behind him 1He moved into Anantara through operations, becoming resort manager of Naladhu Maldives and Anantara Veli Resort from 2013 to 2015. Staying in operations ever since he became EAM of Anantara Koh Samui and then resident manager of the Anantara Lijiang.

Becoming a task force GM for the group, he went on to work across Busan, the Maldives, Koh Phangan in Thailand, and now Salalah as GM. In this new role, the hotel promised he would once again delve into his passion for F&B, planning to introduce food festivals and Michelin-starred chef appearances.

The new Anantara GM said: “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to begin working at such an incredible resort as Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. Not only am I looking forward to welcoming new and loyal guests to the unrivaled luxury and beauty of the resort, but I am eager to begin working with the team to deliver the next steps towards an even better experience for every visitor. I firmly believe in the importance of buying local and supporting the producers and the environment which is home to our fantastic resort.

He continued: “I want to offer our guests the very best in taste, nutrition, experience, and active life. We will be seeking to offer local, organic products in our outlets and spa whenever possible and to bring activity programmes such as Thai boxing, tennis, and much more to our guests.”

Maren Kuehl

General manager, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Kuehl has been a member of the Anantara family since 2014 when she began working as hotel manager for Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, after gaining over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality throughout the region.

3 years at Starwood Hotels where he spent over a decade in F&B.

He went from head waiter at The Sheraton Park Tower to F&B supervisor at The Park Lane Hotel Sheraton, to F&B venues manager at The Westin Sydney. His final stint with Starwood lasted two years as director of F&B at Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen.

Appointment | Niraamaya Wellness Retreats elevated Dhavalakeerthi M K to VP-Marketing

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats has promoted Dhavalakeerthi M K as Vice President of Marketing. He has been a part of Niraamaya’s growth story for over three years and brings an extensive travel and hospitality experience spanning nearly two decades.

His strengths in branding, PR, and digital transformation have been a key contributor to his career path. He is a goal oriented marketing expert with natural talents in developing and implementing successful strategies, driving profits, increasing market shares and strengthening customer dominance. 

Dhavalakeerthi is an MBA from Bangalore’s Institute of Business Management and Technology and has worked with international and domestic hotel and resort chains, tour operators, OTAs and real estate companies, which has given him an insight into various tiers of Hospitality brands. 

Appointment | Rupam Dutta is General Manager of Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road

Rupam Dutta has joined Radisson Blu Bengaluru Outer Ring Road as General Manager. An Alumnus of IAM Kolkata, he has successfully attended General Managers Program from Cornell University, ITHACA, USA.

Dutta comes with over 28 years of experience as a hotelier, of which he spent 13 years as General Manager with brands like Sarovar Hotels and Feathers Hotel Chennai. His contribution includes pre opening two business hotels, one food and beverage multiplex with auditorium, four premium restaurant in addition to mentoring several young hoteliers. His key interests lie in networking, social media marketing, hotel project and uniform designing.

Dutta has also achieved the Green Award for making Feathers a completely green hotel where its eco-friendly practices made a huge impact on the environment. A travel enthusiast, he has traversed Europe, Asia, the US and various Scandinavian countries.

Appointment | Siddarth Noronha appointed as executive chef at Sofitel Mumbai BKC

In his new role, Noronha will oversee the entire functioning of the hotel's four food and beverage outlets including the award-winning restaurants.

Siddarth Noronha

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, the luxury brand of Accor, has announced the appointment of Siddarth Noronha as the executive chef for their flagship property in India, Sofitel Mumbai BKC. With over 16 years of experience, Noronha counts his depth and profound understanding of cooking as a major asset.

In his new role, he will oversee the entire functioning of Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s four food and beverage outlets including the award-winning restaurants of Pondichéry Café – All-day Dining, Jyran – Tandoor Dining & Lounge, Tuskers – Vegetarian Dining & Bar and Artisan – Bar & Garden Lounge. This Bandra boy has set himself apart in the busy Mumbai dining scene with his visionary approach to pairing ingredients and creative food presentations.

Noronha has earlier worked with brands such as Hyatt and Novotel. In addition to a culinary art masterclass with Alain Ducasse, he has completed his Diploma in Hotel Management Catering Technology from Rizvi College. He finds it exhilarating to bring people together through food, by creating unique and memorable dining experiences for guests.

Besides mentoring the culinary team to keep up with Sofitel’s high food quality and standards, the chef also enjoys counting passport stamps as badges of honour and loves his bike rides.

Appointment | JW Marriott Bengaluru appoints Varun Suden as Rooms Division Manager

He will be emphasize on customer satisfaction and rooms operation at the hotel

JW Marriott Bengaluru has appointed Varun Suden as the Rooms Division Manager. With close to 16 years of experience in hotels across India, he exhibits a strong record of driving guest and employee satisfaction. At JW Marriott Bengaluru, Varun will be seen emphasizing on customer satisfaction and rooms operation.

Starting his career in 2006, Varun has been associated with some of the eminent hospitality brands like Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre, Goa Marriott Resort and Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon, Marriott Whitefield Hotel Bengaluru, JW Marriott Aerocity and The Leela Palace Mumbai where he was responsible for Front Office, Salon and Health Club operations.

Speaking on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha, the Director of Operations at JW Marriott Bengaluru said, “Varun has immense hands-on experience in building strong teams dedicated to deliver exceptional guest experiences. We are certain that having a team leader like him on board, will help us grow faster with better results.” 

“Throughout my career, I have been at the forefront of devising and implementing new systems and processes designed for efficient and effective delivery of services. And I shall continue to work that way for the holistic development of the team members and the business at JW Marriott Bengaluru as well,” said Varun Suden.

Appointment | Hyatt Regency Delhi appoints Kunal Dewan as Director of Operations

A seasoned hospitality professional, he has more than 15 years of experience in leading sales, operational growth, brand and asset management

Hyatt Regency Delhi has appointed Kunal Dewan as the Director of Operations. A seasoned hospitality professional, he has more than 15 years of experience in leading sales, operational growth, brand and asset management. In his new role, he will be responsible to oversee hotel operations, elevate guest experience and identify new revenue streams for the hotel.

Kunal had been heading the Sales and Marketing function for Hyatt Regency Delhi since October 2018 and his professional journey began after he obtained his post graduate diploma in international hospitality from Les Roches, School of Hotel Management, Switzerland. He started his career as a management trainee at Le Parker Meridien in New York where he served as the Front Office Supervisor before moving back to India and joining the sales function with Oberoi Hotels.

Prior to his role with Hyatt Hotels, Kunal was the Director of Sales and Marketing at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park where his responsibilities included overseeing financial strategy, anchoring a team of associates, and devising strategic brand marketing goals. In addition to being with Marriott International in multiple roles, Kunal has represented brands like The Oberoi Group, Starwood Hotels Worldwide Inc and The Embassy Group.

A result driven individual, Dewan with a track record of motivating his team to deliver optimum results and maximize profits. He has been recognized with noteworthy awards across Asia pacific which include Sales and Marketing Leader of the year, Best pre opening hotel, and brand building mentions.

Appointment | Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel appoints Manisha Sharma as the new General Manager

She is entrusted to take care of complete hotel operations, elevate customer experience and further enhance the hotel’s positioning as a leading lifestyle hotel brand.

Manisha, a seasoned hotelier, comes with over 20 years of experience that has seen her perform managerial and leadership roles at various established properties across the country and in Dubai. Her forte includes strategic thinking; Sales, Marketing, MICE and Revenue Management all of which have proved to be an asset throughout her career.

She did her post-graduation in Hospitality Management from The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development, New Delhi and has completed a number of senior management programs with Marriott International and eCornell. 

Over the years, she has worked at some of the leading hotel chains including Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, The Oberoi Grand in Kolkata, The Oberoi New Delhi, Trident Gurgaon, Gurgaon. After which, she spent 8 years at various Marriott International properties such as Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Jaipur, JW Pune, Courtyard By Marriott, Gurgaon, JW Marriott Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi. She also spent a considerable amount of time in Dubai where she was associated with Marriott Al Jaddaf and Marriott Executive Apartments which gave her an understanding of cultures and lifestyles of various nationalities. 

When not at work, Manisha likes to hit the gym. She also indulges in travelling and believes in helping people grow, building relationships along with health and lifestyle.

Appointment | Suranjit Sengupta appointed as Hotel Manager of Fairfield by Marriott, Jodhpur

Suranjit Sengupta Fairfield by Marriott, Jodhpur

A passionate hotelier, Sengupta has gained extensive knowledge of organizational development, strong business insight along with strategic planning and team development.

Suranjit Sengupta has been appointed as the Hotel Manager of one of the world-class luxury hotels in India - Fairfield by Mariott, Jodhpur. A seasoned professional, with over 15 years of extensive experience in world-class luxury hotels, Sengupta holds an exceptional track record of delivering optimum results in his career.

A passionate hotelier, Sengupta has gained extensive knowledge of organizational development, strong business insight along with strategic planning and team development. He has received several accolades under his guidance. His contribution and hard work have won him great recognition across the organization and the brand. He has won the “Global Event Management (GEM) Award” and “Event Excellence Award for the Asia Pacific in 2017” by Marriott International which identifies and celebrates impressive global event management talent throughout the Marriott Hotels. He has also served as a “Wedding consultant for Marriott Asia-Pacific”, “Event Advisory Board member for the Asia Pacific in 2018”, with his exemplary expertise in event management and food & beverage operations.

Fairmont Jaipur Appoints Prisha Lamba as the New Director of Marketing and Communications

Fairmont Jaipur Appoints Prisha Lamba as the New Director of Marketing and Communications

Fairmont Jaipur today announced the appointment of Ms. Prisha Lamba as the luxury property’s new Director of Marketing and Communications. With a rich experience spanning over 14 years, Prisha is sure to be an asset to the marquee hotel in this role. She joins Fairmont Jaipur with a wealth of knowledge and an extensive background in the hospitality and trade industry.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur said, “Prisha is a result-oriented and highly collaborative leader, which makes her a strong cultural fit at Fairmont Jaipur. We are delighted to welcome her to our team and are certain that with her expertise and diverse skill set, she will pay a crucial role in helping us to translate our business objectives, as we continue to innovate and grow.”

Prisha will be responsible for spearheading the conception and execution of innovative marketing and communication strategies that help drive overall brand development and growth at Fairmont Jaipur. Prisha’s role will help Fairmont Jaipur to effectively convey the business issues they resolve, nurture relationships with prospective clients and communicate their success stories as well as the value they deliver. She will also be responsible for planning and implementing strategies to support the hotel’s unrivalled positioning.

Prisha’s last assignment was with Hyatt Regency Gurgaon where she served as a Marketing Communications Manager. Prior to that, she has worked with the Four Seasons Hotel in Mumbai, Radisson Gurugram and 32nd Avenue serving various marketing roles. Throughout her career, Prisha has focused on the development, implementation and management of comprehensive marketing campaigns integrated content creation, public relations, social media, and strategic planning.

Appointment | Sayaji Hotel Indore appoints Mir Hafizur Raheman as Executive Chef

Sayaji Hotel has recently appointed Mir Hafizur Raheman as the hotel’s Executive Chef. A seasoned professional, he has over 18 years of pivotal experience in the realm of the hospitality industry. He will helm the hotels culinary operations that include Chopstick City, The authentic Pan-Asian restaurant, Cravings, the all day dining restaurant and café, Kebabsville, the barbeque and grill dining restaurant, Mediterra, the Mediterranean cuisine rooftop restaurant, along with in-room dining. He would be responsible for curating, managing, and overseeing all the retail food offerings by Sayaji Hotel Indore.

A native of Bhubaneswar, Chef Raheman has spent over a decade in the Republic of Maldives holding various Chefs positions in some of the best hotels. His wide exposure to world culture, travelers, and people has helped him bring to the table the best innovative practices from across the globe, evolving new methods, flavors, and textures of cooking. His diverse techniques in curating signature dishes and enhancing gastronomical experiences have won him many appreciations.

Chef Raheman has a wealthy experience of working with some of the prestigious hotels namely Mayfair Hotels & Resorts ((Maldives), JA Manafaru Resorts (Maldives), Atmosphere Kanifushi Resorts (Maldives), Constance Halaveli Resorts (Maldives), Eon Resorts (Maldives), Royal Orchid Resorts & Convention (Bangalore), Alila Hotels (India) and Justa Hotels and Resorts (India).

Appointments | Hyatt Regency Dehradun announces the appointment of leadership roles

Hyatt Regency Dehradun announces the appointment of leadership roles

March 2022, India: Nestled amidst picturesque 4.25 acres landscape of Dehradun, adjacent to the serene Malsi Forest and majestic Himalayan range, Hyatt Regency Dehradun, the first 5-star hotel in Dehradun and the largest luxury hotel in the state of Uttarakhand, today announced the appointment of its leadership roles. The corporate roster includes industry-forward professionals with specialized experience in the hospitality and food and beverage industry, who will be leading Hyatt Regency Dehradun’s management and verticals across operations, sales, marketing, F&B, and HR.

Harkaran Singh as General Manager

Harkaran brings with him 15 years of varied experience across Marriott & Hyatt hotels in India. He began his journey with the Hyatt family 12 years back and has worked across Hyatt Pune in 2010 to Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli, Hyatt Regency Kolkata, and was General Manager at Hyatt Raipur, before taking on his latest role at Hyatt Regency Dehradun.

Passionate about delivering above-and-beyond moments for guests & colleagues, Harkaran is strategically aligned, financially disciplined, and result-oriented with a repertoire of exceeding expectations of all stakeholders.  In his role as the General Manager, he is leading the multi-cultural team of this stunning 263 keys hotel across all disciplines.

Pratiti Rajpal as Director of Operations
Pratiti brings along years of inspiring experience across Marriott & Hyatt hotels in India, with a decade of the journey being with Hyatt. Starting as the Marketing Communications Manager at Hyatt Regency Chennai in 2012 to cluster role at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa & Grand Hyatt Mumbai and Cluster Director of Marketing Communications at Andaz Delhi & Grand Hyatt Gurgaon (Pre-Opening) her professional journey has been adventurous. 

A result-oriented and passionate hotelier, Pratiti thrives on creating memorable experiences for guests and an amazing work environment for her colleagues. With exceptional attention to detail and intuitive leadership, Pratiti delivers results that exceed the expectations of all stakeholders involved. In her role as the Director of Operations, Pratiti will be overlooking the operations of a diversely segmented, 263 keys hotel.

Sujas K Nameth as Director of Food & Beverage
With 23 years of experience in the hospitality industry across Hyatt, Marriott & The Grand hotels in India and Muscat, Sujas is an industry veteran specializing in the Food & Beverage department. A passionate hotelier with wide-spread experience and an impeccable work ethic, Sujas, in his current role, is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the operations, maximizing the F&B revenues, introducing new F&B concepts & elevating the dining experience for guests, ensuring synergy between and maintaining the highest standards of guest service.

Sahil Arora as Executive Chef 

Chef Sahil joins Hyatt Regency Dehradun with 22 years of elevating experience across brands such as Marriott, Hyatt and Shangri-La hotels in India. Starting his career as a Prep Chef at the Hyatt Regency New Delhi in 1999, he moved to The Shangri-La Connaught Place, New Delhi as a Senior Sous Chef, then to The Imperial New Delhi as an Executive Sous Chef, followed by the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre & Lakeside Chalet- Marriott Executive Apartments as the Executive Chef and then Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi as the Executive Chef.  

A master chef, with a wide range of experience in cooking and curating the perfect dining experience for the guests, Chef Sahil will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and safe running of all the kitchen operations, developing and tailoring menus to suit the guests and the hotel’s needs while ensuring all health & safety and service standards are being enforced.

Sunishchal Parasnis as Director of Sales & Marketing

With a career spanning across 15 years, Sunishchal has worked across Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa and Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa in various sales strategy functions.  As the Director of Sales & Marketing, Sunishchal in his current role will be responsible for developing new marketing opportunities and implementing new sales strategies in order to boost rooms & events sales at the hotel.

Avijit Ghosh as Director of Finance

Avijit brings with him 25 years of enriching experience in challenging finance roles. He began his journey with the Hyatt family 6 years ago and has worked at Hyatt Raipur and Hyatt Regency Chennai before taking on his latest role at Hyatt Regency Dehradun. His business acumen is driven by a strong commitment to operational excellence.

Nikhil Raje as Human Resources Manager

Nikhil brings along with him an industry experience of 12 years across Marriott, Radisson, Accor & Hyatt hotels in India. With his great people skills and the ability to resolve conflict quickly and efficiently, in his current role Nikhil will be responsible for the recruitment of the team, managing payroll, ensuring ethical business practices, statutory compliances, associate wellbeing, learning & development and team engagement.

Vijayakumar Singh. R as Chief Engineer

Vijayakumar brings along 29 years of enriching experience across Taj, Meridian & Hyatt hotels in India, with the Hyatt journey being 20 years and counting. A master of his trade, in his current role, Vijayakumar will be responsible for the management, operations, rectification of the entire hotel’s furniture, fixture and equipment while also ensuring sustainable practices and increasing efficiency throughout the hotel.

Appointment | Hyatt Regency Kathmandu announces the appointment of Ashish Kumar as the General Manager

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu announces the appointment of Ashish Kumar as the General Manager

Ashish Kumar has completed his Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management from International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in 1999 and completed his Business Management course from All India Council for Management Studies in 2001. He brings more than 23 years of experience in hospitality industry.

He has been part of the Hyatt Family for 13 years. He started his Hyatt journey with Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa in 2009 as Front Office Manager, followed by stints at Hyatt Regency Pune as Rooms Director and Hyatt Regency Chandigarh as Rooms Director. His first assignment as General Manager was at Hyatt Place Hampi in 2016. Before joining Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, his last assignment was at Hyatt Regency Lucknow.

He has worked in different parts of India and across cultures. In his earlier role as the General Manager at Hyatt Regency Lucknow, he successfully implemented various key areas of product enhancement, brand compliance and employee training and development. After having worked across various positions, Mr. Kumar’s urge stays with overall administration, asset management and strategic positioning of the hotel. He also possesses the aptitude of forecasting, revenue management, negotiations management, crisis management and numerous operational services.

His professional milestones includes several successful brand establishments and positioning in highly competitive markets, while nurturing robust relations with stakeholders. He strongly believes that the key to success is investing in the right people.

Appointment | Hotel Sayaji Raipur appoints Nisha Singh Chauhan as the new Human Resources Manager

Nisha Singh Chauhan

.

She will be looking into employee development workforce management, reviewing and implementing new HR policies.

A Bachelor of Arts graduate, she completed her MBA, Specialization in Human Resource Management from Sikkim Manipal University, Raipur, Nisha started her career in the hospitality industry as a Human Resources Executive at Hotel Babylon Inn, Raipur. Her first job was at Hotel Babylon Inn, Raipur as an HR Executive in April 2012 and since then worked with several properties in HR role.

“I believe that my strong communication and grooming skills along with creative thinking will enable me to achieve the hotel’s mission and key interests. I look forward to forming fruitful connections and at the same time bring about the transformation needed”, says Nisha Singh Chauhan, HR Manager.

She will be helming the full spectrum of HR and talent development in the new role and will play a key role in ensuring a strongly motivated team to achieve set goals. She believes that great guest experience is immensely connected in great associate experiences, where associates are proud and energized which gets reflected in their work and guest experience. She looks forward to creating an engaging, fruitful learning experience and also create environment where all associates embrace the link between purpose and performance.

“I am elated that Nisha Chauhan is on board at our property. She is diligent in every single work she takes up and is dynamic and creative with her ideas. I will work closely with her to ensure that our key strategies are implemented across the hotel and valuable talent is showcased across all functions of the hotel”, says Ashoo Bhatnagar, General Manager, Sayaji, Raipur.

Appointments | Atmosphere Gears Up For Expansion — Welcomes A Stellar Line Up Of Senior Industry Veterans

Atmosphere Gears Up For Expansion — Welcomes A Stellar Line Up Of Senior Industry Veterans

Joining the leadership team are Michel Politano as VP Revenue & Distribution, Sarah Walker Kerr as VP Communications, Ashley Goddard as Corporate Culinary Director and Silvia Collepardi as VP Sales & Marketing - COLOURS OF OBLU & By Atmosphere.

Left to Right - Sarah Walker Kerr - Vice President Communications, Silvia Collepardi - VP Sales & Marketing for COLOURS OF OBLU & By Atmosphere and Ashley Goddard - Corporate Culinary Director

March 2022, Mumbai: Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts (AH&R), a dynamic and fast-growing hospitality company, starts the year on a winning note with four key leadership appointments to support its ambitious development plans.

Atmosphere's strategic onboarding of top talent to its senior leadership team include Michel Politano as VP Revenue & Distribution, Sarah Walker Kerr as VP Communications, Ashley Goddard as Corporate Culinary Director, and Silvia Collepardi as VP Sales & Marketing for COLOURS OF OBLU & By Atmosphere

Coming from the finest hospitality brands across the globe, these accomplished leaders add to the company’s growth momentum. Helping to take its three brands, THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU and By Atmosphere, to alluring leisure destinations in India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Ashley Goddard - Corporate Culinary Director

Taking up the newly created role of Corporate Culinary Director, Ashley Goddard will drive brand distinction and corporate reputation by refining dining experiences throughout Atmosphere’s portfolio of resorts. He will mentor and develop the company’s culinary teams, enhance existing Food and Beverage experiences, and contribute to the launching of our new openings and projects in the current pipeline.  

During his successful career spanning over 30 years, this Australian Chef & Culinary Entrepreneur has worked with some of the leading international hospitality companies, immersing in cultures across the globe. Having been a part of different cultures has enriched Ashley’s palette for life – allowing him to develop world-class culinary teams, in numerous countries and throughout reputed hotels and resorts. “I believe raising both the perception of our guests, as well the expectation of a truly memorable dining experience, we are lucky to touch so many people and bring the Joy of Giving”, says Ashley Goddard.

Silvia Collepardi - VP Sales & Marketing for COLOURS OF OBLU & By Atmosphere

Silvia Collepardi has been promoted to Vice President Sales & Marketing for the company’s recently launched brand COLOURS OF OBLU as well as By Atmosphere. In her new role, Silvia will focus on strengthening brand positioning in key feeder markets across the globe and developing new markets. 

Hailing from Italy, Silvia joined AH&R in 2018 as Regional Director of Sales Europe. She offers a wealth of expertise acquired over 16 years of sales and marketing experience, including senior positions at international brands like Centara Hotels & Resorts. Her love for oceans has inspired Silvia to focus her expertise on promoting dream destinations and beautiful resorts in the Maldives, Thailand, and Bali, with a passion for pre-opening and business development. 

Michel Politano - Vice President Revenue & Distribution

In the role of VP Revenue & Distribution, French national Michel Politano will work towards maximizing revenue, enhancing channel connectivity and profitability, and optimizing online presence, traffic acquisition and conversion. 

An impactful leader with 15 years of hands-on experience, Michel excels in implementing unique and highly effective market strategies, successfully entering new markets and providing value-based leadership. 

He has most recently held senior leadership positions at Emaar Hospitality Group, where he set up and grew the entire distribution ecosystem (spanning 20+ hotels across 4 brands) and contributed to organizational growth by leading change management of cluster structure.

Sarah Walker Kerr - Vice President Communications 

Recently appointed, Sarah Walker Kerr has hit the ground running – steering the company’s 

communication strategy with a focus on promoting brand distinction. With over 20 years of international experience, UK-born Sarah is adept at setting up and managing globally integrated communication programs that drive guest engagement, elevate corporate identity and build brand equity.

Sarah comes to Atmosphere from Marriott International, where she spent 3 years as VP Communications, achieving positive awareness (externally and internally) and brand distinction. As part of this role, she set up a fit-for-purpose communications organization across complex geography of 30 countries. She was ranked among the Top 25 ‘Most Influential Communicators in the Middle East’ by PR Week UK. 

Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts said “As we prepare for our next phase of expansion, we are thrilled to welcome such outstanding talent to our senior leadership team. I am eager to see how their depth and breadth of collective experience will help us drive brand distinction, foster culinary excellence, elevate our reputation, reach new markets and unlock our immense growth potential.”

These appointments build upon the new additions last year of Ashwin Handa as Senior Vice President Operations and Abhijit Ghosh as Senior Vice President – Creative & Quality Assurance.

About Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic and fast-growing international hospitality company. Currently, the company is operating eight resorts within the Maldives and is set to further expand in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. AH&R’s distinguished portfolio comprises THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and By Atmosphere, with a rich diversity of experiences within each of these brands. Opening 2022, are two exciting COLOURS OF OBLU resorts: OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi.

Appointment | Sanjeev Advani joins The Orchid Group as its VP of sales

Sanjeev Advani joins The Orchid Group as its VP of sales

The Orchid Group has appointed Sanjeev Advani as its vice-president of sales. Advani is a passionate hospitality professional with over 30 years of work experience in the industry.

Prior to this, he was associated with Lemon Tree Hotels as the area director of sales - western region. He has worked with reputed brands such as The Leela, Grand Hyatt, Oberoi, Hyatt Regency, Sofitel, Hilton Shillim and Lemon Tree Hotels.

Appointment | Harsh Mahajan is the New Associate Director of Sales at Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur

Harsh Mahajan

Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur appoints Harsh Mahajan as Associate Director of Sales

Harsh Mahajan joins Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur as Associate Director of Sales. This will be a second stint for Harsh with Marriott International as he was earlier associated with Courtyard by Marriott Agra and JW Marriott Chandigarh for almost four years.

With over a decade of experience, Mahajan has worked with brands including the Oberoi Group and IHG Hotels & Resorts. He is known for his capability to communicate with customers, provide exceptional service that ensure client retention and unbiased positive feedback. In all his assignments he has demonstrated the ability to ensure increased sales through up-selling techniques as well as implementing processes that drive profitability.

In his new role, Mahajan will focus on developing and implementing sales strategies for Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur. He is an inquisitive explorer and enjoys travelling in mountains and adventures and follows fitness as a passion.

Appointment | River Country Resort Manali appoints Temjen as Resort Manager

Temjen

River Country Resort Manali appoints Temjen as Resort Manager

Temjen AKA TJ has been appointed as the new resort manager at Renest River Country Resort in Manali. His responsibilities include including sales and marketing, HR, empowering associates to provide superior customer care, associates, and other visitors, managing food and beverage, budgeting/forecasting for the hotel, communication and problem-solving, amongst others.

Temjen has over 10 years of experience in the industry, during which he has worked in four different nations i.e. Singapore, India, the UAE and Bahrain. He has worked with brands like the Oberoi, IHCL and Accor.  Apart from work, Temjen enjoys cooking and is passionate about bike riding

Appointment | OYO appoints ex-PayU exec Prakash Padariya as Chief Information Security Officer

Mr. Padariya has worked as senior management roles across leading Fortune 100 MNCs like GE, Royal Bank of Scotland, IBM, Target Corporation and Accenture

The global hospitality technology platform, OYO, has announced the appointment of Prakash Padariya as the chief information security officer (CISO) for IT and security teams. In his role at OYO, Prakash will helm a security strategy for OYO’s systems globally, including regions such as India, SEA, Europe, the USA and the UK.

In addition to this, he will be also responsible for leveraging technologies such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance cyber security functions from the ground.

Padariya joins OYO from the Netherlands headquartered online payment solutions provider PayU, where he was in a similar role. He brings with him 19+ years of experience across geographies with extensive expertise in corporate security consulting, cyber security, cyber warfare, vulnerability assessment, ethical hacking, surveillance audits, legal regulatory compliance, computer forensics, law enforcement cybercrime prevention, among others. Besides PayU, he has worked in senior management roles across leading Fortune 100 MNCs like GE, Royal Bank of Scotland, IBM, target corporation and Accenture.

Commenting on his appointment, he says, “I am super excited to join OYO at this stage where all of the travel is transforming and resurging post-COVID-19. I am honoured to be a part of this team and can’t wait to start developing solutions to enhance the maturity of all of OYO’s products to the next level of security and privacy.”