By BW Hotelier INDIRA BANERJEE, a seasoned hospitality professional with over three decades of experience, has been appointed as Director-Sales and Strategic Planning at The Imperial New Delhi and is all set to take on new challenges of the luxury hospitality industry. In her new position she would helm global sales and international portfolios while spearheading strategic planning for The Imperial. This is her third tenure at The Imperial, filled with enriched experience of her past association with the brand as Director- Travel/ Trade (2003-2006) to Director- Sales and Marketing (2008-2011). Indira’s extensive portfolio includes Global Sales Manager for Aman Resorts where she maximized brand opportunities at a global level. She held the position of Director International Travel Trade for several years with The Oberoi Group headquarters and handled seamless travel trade with outstanding international leadership. She has also been associated with other prestigious brands like Sujan Luxury Hotels & The Claridges Hotels & Resorts. With cutting edge industry knowledge, strong potential and strategic work approach, she has marked a niche for herself in the industry by heading international portfolios, reaching out to newer markets with a sharp understanding of the global market scenario. Her excellent interpersonal communication, team building and management skills have always outshined her persona. Her key expertise lies in developing and implementing sales strategies in sync with evolving trends in travel and tourism.
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By BW Hotelier RISHI NEOGI has been appointment as General Manager at Howard Johnson Bangalore, a part of Wyndham Hotel Group. With over 19 years of experience in the field of hospitality, Neogi has worked with renowned companies like The Imperial, The Lalit, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, ITC Maurya Sheraton, InterContinental, Lemon Tree. He comes with longstanding experience with roles like GSA, Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, Associate General Manager-Food and Beverage. Neogi has received TIMES FOOD AWARD thrice for his outstanding work. Prior to this he was working with The Landmark Towers. Neogi looks forward to the upcoming opportunities and challenges at Howard Johnson and is all set to meet the expectations and provide high quality services and giving his best to maintain and strengthen the standards of Howard Johnson, Bangalore.
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CHEF MANAV Koul has been appointed Executive Chef of Sofitel Mumbai BKC. Koul brings over 15 years of experience to his role at Sofitel Luxury Hotels’ flagship property in India. With a passion for culinary arts, Koul pursued his dream and graduated with a three-year diploma in hotel management from IIHM - Ahmedabad.
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By BW Hotelier WITH OVER 14 years of-experience in the hospitality industry, Babita Kanwar has been re-appointed as the Hotel Manager at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet, Mumbai - Marriott Executive Apartments. In her new role, Kanwar will be responsible for all the key operational areas. Kanwar joined Marriott India in October 2001 as part of the pre-opening team at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu; where she spent six years and worked across various operation verticals ’ gradually moving into Sales & Marketing in 2005. In November 2006 she moved to Goa Marriott Resort & Spa as the Director of Sales and Marketing, following which she joined Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet ’ Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments as Director of Sales and Marketing in December 2008 to ramp up the newly opened tower. In January 2010, Kanwar was promoted as Market Director Sales and Marketing, Mumbai. Kanwar in her most recent role was the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre, a flagship property for Marriott in Shanghai. In almost every role she has been bestowed accolades as a leader of reckoning - Property sales team of the year 2014- Asia Pacific, Marriott International, Above property sales leader of the year 2011 and 2012- Asia Pacific and Global, Marriott International are just a few to mention.
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By BW Hotelier AN ASTUTE professional with 22 years of experience, Anil Kumar has been appointed as Director of Engineering at The Imperial New Delhi. He has relevant experience in Design Review, Project Management, Architectural and Interior Finishes of world class style. With his earlier tenure at The Park New Delhi, Uppals Orchid Hotel, Piccadilly Group, Aman Resorts New Delhi, Hilton Group New Delhi along with Globacom Ltd. Nigeria, Kumar has successfully executed these projects with effective leadership and support across all the platforms. Born in New Delhi and an IIM alumni, Kumar is a Social Welfare Activist who immensely cares for nature. He brings to The Imperial his expertise in handling gamut of activities encompassing automation work, handling the preparation of annual maintenance contracts and carrying out Technical Engineering Procedures in line with industry standards. He has already activated numerous environmental initiatives to bring about a positive difference and enhance the green operations at The Imperial.
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By BW Hotelier FOUR SEASONS Hotel Mumbai has appointed Chef Ilango S A as its new Executive Chef. With a career that has taken him to five continents, Chef Ilango has amassed a wealth of culinary experience over the last 20 years. Chef Ilango started his career as a commissary chef at Hyatt Regency New Delhi. From there, he went on to work with Radission, Le Meridien, Park Hyatt in Australia, The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei and the iconic MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Chef Ilango's culinary tryst began in France, where his grandparents had moved. He would travel to Leon often, where he frequented the restaurant L'aubargu Du Pont de Collonges. It is here that he was introduced to the farm to table concept. He then went on to do his intensive training across kitchens in Europe, an experience that spanned three enriching years. Chef Ilango has experience in managing up to eight F&B outlets at a time and banquet spaces accommodating up to 1400 guests. Through his tenure, he has experimented with various styles of cooking, including handling a bakery. Chef Ilango first took up the position of Executive Chef (acting) at The Empire Hotel and Country Club, following which he was Executive Chef at Hilton Worldwide Chennai and TBIC Retreat and Spa. He has shown exemplary culinary as well as management skills in the course of his career. With his vast exposure to various cultures and cuisines, he aims to introduce a wave of culinary innovation at the property. He believes his strength lies in developing young talent. The greatest satisfaction comes from watching his team work well and bringing smiles to happy guests.
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By BW Hotelier THOMAS COOK (India) Ltd. has announced the appointment of Vishal Suri as Managing Director of Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt. Ltd. (see photo) effective January 4, 2016. Prior to the appointment, Suri headed the outbound portfolio as Chief Executive Officer ’ Tour Operating, Kuoni India. Rajeev Wagle, stepped down as Managing Director, Kuoni India with effect from January 4, 2016. Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., said, ’It gives us great pleasure to appoint Vishal Suri as the Managing Director of Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt Ltd. Vishal comes with a wealth of experience. Over 22 years across a gamut of consumer centric industries like telecom, internet, and office automation; including over a decade in running travel businesses. We wish him every success in his new role.’ Menon added, ’We respect Rajeev Wagle’s decision to pursue his interests outside the organization and place on record our sincere appreciation for his contributions to building Kuoni-SOTC, as also his expertise and extensive experience of over 26 years, across industries.’
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By BW Hotelier RITESH SHARMA has been appointed the new General Manager of Taj Falaknuma Palace. Sharma holds a degree in Hotel Management from S.R.M Institute, Chennai. To further develop his management skills, he joined the Executive Management Program at the well renowned S.P Jain Institute of Management and went on to attain the Six Sigma Black Belt certification from the Indian Statistical Institute, which speaks volumes of his commitment towards process improvements. Sharma started his career with the Taj family 15 years ago, as Front Office Associate with the Taj Coromandel, Chennai. Thereafter, he rose from a Front Office Associate to Butler Operations Manager ’ his achievement was establishing the well-known 'Butler Program'; post which he was promoted as the Operations Manager at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. In 2006, Sharma was recognised for conceptualising the 'Best Guest Profile Management System'. With a desire to apply his learnings to a different industry, he moved from the Taj and joined the Mumbai International Airport in 2008, where he managed the busiest terminal at the domestic airport processing 16 million passengers a year. In 2012, he returned to the Taj family and was subsequently elevated as the Resident Manager of The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi. Sharma has evolved into a dynamic leader, recognized for his operational leadership capabilities.- He has an exceptional way of enhancing guest experiences, but most importantly nurturing his team and will most certainly take the iconic Taj Falaknuma Palace to greater heights of success.
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