By BW Hotelier PRABHAKAR SINGH has been appointed as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences, the flagship property of AccorHotels in Eastern India. Singh will be responsible for guiding and motivating a team of 20 plus members of Sales & Marketing based in Kolkata and in three other metro cities in his current assignment. He will also provide innovative and inclusive leadership while capitalizing on his extensive knowledge and first-hand experience of handling different markets, segments and cultures. His previous assignment was at Vivanta by Taj ’ President, Mumbai as Director of Sales and Marketing. His tenure with Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces spans a period of 10 years across three geographies in the West, South and North of India with Taj Coromandel, Taj Club House, launching the 100th hotel of Taj Group in India ’ Vivanta by Taj ’ Gurgaon, NCR and Vivanta flagship Vivanta by Taj President, Mumbai. He has also worked with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts in Mumbai prior to his stint with the Taj Group.
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By BW Hotelier ABDUL NASIR Ahmed Shaikh has recently joined Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan as the General Manager. Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Chakan Pune, he was the Director of Operations at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre where he led the operations teams to drive sales and service to excellence. Known for his excellent leadership skills, innovative thinking and creative approach, Nasir has over 15 years of work experience to his credit. Since his first stint at Le Royal Meridien in 2000 as a Management Trainee, Nasir has worked across various verticals in the hospitality sector with brands like the JW Marriott and Westin among others. Apart for having experience with Indian hotel, Nasir has also worked in international markets like Azerbaijan and Oman. He comes from a thorough hospitality background with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Catering Operations. When not pressed hard at work Nasir loves to spend time with family.
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By BW Hotelier WITH AN experience of nine years in the hospitality industry, European Cuisine expert, Danish Merchant has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef (Cluster Role) at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel and Lakeside Chalet ’ Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments. Chef Merchant will be responsible to oversee the entire kitchen operation including the alternative restaurants and the crew kitchen by initially monitoring all food preparation, presentation and delivery over the course of the day. Prior to joining Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, he was profiled as Senior Sous Chef at JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai Sahar as a part of the pre-opening team. He was also associated with other prestigious brands like by Taj, Bangalore, The Leela Palace Hotel and Resorts Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon & Kempinski, New Delhi He is recognized for achieving a perfect synchronization of tradition and modernity in culinary creations through continuous research and dynamism. He is proficient at conveying complex menu concepts in simple yet compelling manner through knowledge gained by theoretical and practical experiences. Chef Merchant graduated in Hotel Management and Tourism in 2006 from Rizvi College of Hotel Management & Catering Studies, Mumbai. He loves comforting the guests with his communication skills as he is an affluent Hindi, English and Urdu speaker.
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By BW Hotelier ABHISHEK SAHAI has been appointed as the new General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Agra. In his new role, Sahai will effectively leverage his experience of managing diverse leadership responsibilities of Guest Services, Rooms Division Management, F&B Operations, Administration, Project Management, conceptualizing events, driving revenues and managing human assets at Courtyard by Marriott, Agra. Sahai has over 15 years of experience in the core hospitality and customer oriented operations with luxury hotel chains like The Oberoi Group and The Leela Hotels. Prior to joining Marriott International, Sahai held the role of General Manager at The Leela Palace Udaipur. He worked with The Leela Group for over five years. Earlier he was associated with The Oberoi Group for a decade, where he had started his professional career. Sahai has studied an Executive General Management Program from IIM Lucknow, holds a post graduate Diploma in Hospitality Management from Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, New Delhi, India as well as completed a 3-Year diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from National Council of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Delhi under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. He also underwent Management Development Program from Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Center of Executive Education.
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By BW Hotelier FAISAL NEFEES has taken over as the Director Operations at Hotel The Royal Plaza.’?Faisal has more than 15 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry.-He is a consistent performer with a proven track record of increasing revenues and streamlining workflow.-In his role as D, he will be responsible for developing procedures, business finance, oversee day-to-day operations and operational policies.-In his previous role at Hotel The Royal Plaza, Nafees was Executive Assistant Manager, he-set up the city’s highest lounge and bar ’Sky’. Nafees has in the course of his career, trained well on the key management disciplines of Operations, Sales & Marketing, Administration, Finance and Training, and has successfully handled multiple roles and responsibilities at the various organisations where he has worked. He has also been instrumental in planning and implementing effective training modules and team-building initiatives in order to ensure a conducive work environment. Nafees has worked with some of the most renowned names in the hospitality industry, including Lebua Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Group, Radisson, Elevate Nightclub, Taj Hotels and The Park, New Delhi. Over the span of his career, he has worked in numerous mid-and-senior management capacities, which has helped him to fully understand and appreciate the roles and responsibilities of all key positions within the hospitality space.
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By BW Hotelier JET AIRWAYS has appointed Amit Agarwal as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company. Agarwal, 47, is a Chartered Accountant with more than 24 years of experience having held positions in India, Europe and North America. As CFO of Jet Airways, Agarwal will be responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of the Company’s business. He will join the Operating Committee that has been tasked by the Board of Directors to lead Jet Airway’s growth and strategy. Commenting on the appointment, Naresh Goyal, Chairman, Jet Airways, said, ’I am delighted that Amit Agarwal has joined Jet Airways as Chief Financial Officer and a key member of our Operating Committee. Amit is a seasoned finance professional with knowledge and insights of Indian and international markets. His expertise across cost, finance, treasury and banking functions, combined with experience of turning around businesses makes him the ideal choice for this role. ’Jet Airways is committed to the three-year turnaround plan to achieve profitability and our recent financial performance is a clear indication that we have made significant progress in this direction. Amit’s broad experience will be valuable for the Company as we continue to implement our growth strategy.’ Agarwal joins Jet Airways having recently held the position of CFO of Suzlon Energy with responsibility for managing the finance function and driving its turnaround initiatives. Prior to that he held various leadership roles at Arcelor Mittal ’ Europe and Essar Steel.
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By BW Hotelier VIVANTA By Taj, Gurgaon has appointed Chef Arzooman Irani as the Executive Chef of the hotel. Chef Irani joins the 100th Taj property in the country after his last assignment in Sri Lanka as the Executive Chef of Vivanta by Taj, Bentota. With 22 years of culinary experience, Chef Irani started his journey with the Taj Group in 2005. His stint with the Taj has taken him to various Vivanta properties including Vivanta by Taj - Fishermans Cove, Chennai; Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove, Kovalam; Vivanta By Taj - Fort Aguada, Goa and Vivanta by Taj ’ Whitefield, Bangalore. Chef Arzooman Irani has taken over the reins from Chef Neeraj Chaudhry and will be overlooking the entire F&B for the hotel including the iconic Thai Pavilion; the all-day diner Latitude, the high energy bar Tease, banquets and in-room dining. Welcoming Chef Irani, Mr. Sumeet Taneja, General Manager, Vivanta by Taj, Gurgaon said, ’We are delighted to welcome Chef Arzooman Irani and are confident that the tremendous experience he brings along will take the hotel to new culinary heights. We wish him the very best for his exciting new journey in Gurgaon.’ Born and raised in Pune, Chef Arzooman has a Diploma in Hospitality from Australia, a degree in Professional Cooking from the Baltimore International Culinary College, USA and a Diploma in Management studies from the Swiss Hotel Association - Les Roches, Switzerland. His culinary journey has taken him to numerous hotels and restaurants from Australia to the United States and now back home to his native country. Speaking on the occasion Chef Arzooman Irani said, ’I am excited about my new association with Vivanta by Taj, Gurgaon that brings me back to India from the coastal shores of Sri Lanka. Gurgaon is a melting pot where people from various countries and cultures come together. It is an exciting time for Gurgaon as it's quickly becoming the millennium city and a new food destination.’
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By BW Hotelier JET AIRWAYS announces the resignation of CEO Cramer Ball, effective 29 February 2016, who leaves to pursue a new opportunity, in Europe for family reasons. Gaurang Shetty, whole-time Director, will become the acting CEO of the Company. Shetty, who has over 35 years of industry experience and has been with the Company for over 19 years, will now lead the operating committee in managing the day-to-day operations of the Company, under the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, chaired by Naresh Goyal. Goyal said, ’Cramer has, during his tenure, made a significant contribution in the journey to turnaround Jet Airways. The Company recorded two consecutive profitable quarters after a gap of eight years. Our best wishes are with Cramer and his family in his future endeavors.’ Ball said, ’I am honored to have been able to play a part in the turnaround of Jet Airways, as it moves towards long-term sustainable profitability. The people at Jet Airways have worked as a team to get this business into shape and I am pleased with the progress that has been made.’
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