Appoi ntment
Hotel Business Review
Ranjan Banerjee
R. Ravi Varma
Sandeep Johri
Vinayak Patnekar
Inter-Continental Hotels Group veteran Ranjan Banerjee recently took over as the General Manager of Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla. Prior to the current assignment, he was the General Manager of Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini. Banerjee has over 20 years work experience spanning different countries and regions including Oman, Nepal and India, with The IHG. “I am pleased and honoured to be appointed as the General Manager at Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla,” Banerjee said on his new appointment. “Around the world, Crowne Plaza is known for offering a stellar combination of the best facilities and great service to guests who want to be productive during their business travel. Along with my team members, I am looking forward to ensuring that our guests have a rewarding stay at our hotel,” he added.
R. Ravi Varma is the new General Manager at Poetree Sarovar Portico, Thekkady in Kerala. A focused and analytical hospitality professional, Varma brings with him a wealth of experience spanning almost three decades in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd., Varma had worked as Executive Vice President — Linbur Group of Hotels, UK, and Group General Manager at Barracuda Beach Resort and Pearl Hotel, UAE. His other notable assignments include roles as General Manager at Orbit Park Inn International, Jamnagar; Gokulam Park Inn, Kochi; Madurai Park Inn, Madurai; and The Raviz Hotel, Kollam. He had also earlier worked with Kumarakam Lake Resort as Director of Sales & Marketing and with Silverwoods Resort Wayanad as the Director of Operations.
Novotel Kolkata Hotel and Residences recently appointed Sandeep Johri as the General Manager. In his last assignment, Johri led the team of the very first hotel of AccorHotels in Ahmedabad — Novotel Ahmedabad — for three- and-a-half years. In his career spanning over 23 years in the hospitality industry, Johri has worked as General Manager for 12 years. His proficiency in managing the challenges of opening properties in diverse market situations across the country is widely acknowledged. As the Area Director with Sarovar Hotels earlier, his responsibilities included expanding the company’s base in the region, launching new hotels and operating and managing the existing hotels.
Courtyard by Marriott, Agra recently got an industry veteran to head its operations division. Vinayak Patnekar, who took over as the Director of Operations of the hotel, brings with him vast experience in the field. He has been in the hospitality industry for over 16 years and is known for dynamism and depth. Patnekar has been associated with leading hotels across India and served in different capacities. He has a long and rewarding association with Marriott International and has served as the Director of Operations at Fairfield by Marriott, Lucknow and at Courtyard by Marriott, Raipur. “In his new role as the Director of Operations, Courtyard by Marriott, Agra, Patnekar will be in charge of guest services, rooms division management, F&B operations, administration, project management, events and revenues; and leverage his experience of managing diverse leadership responsibilities to add value to our property,” said Abhishek Sahai, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott, Agra.
Amit Sharda
Rajat Kalia
Amit Sharda has taken over as the new Director of Finance at Jaipur Marriott Hotel. A veteran in hospitality and finance industry, Sharda brings with him over 10 years of experience to his new role. His focus in his new position would be on planning, development and implementing the internal control, accounting, financial policies and procedures. Sharda began his career with Gorbandh Palace Jaisalmer as Manager Accounts, in 2006. In his career span, he has also been associated with hotels such as Amanbagh and Fortune Select Metropolitan. Prior to joining Jaipur Marriott Hotel, Sharda served as the Director of Finance at Holiday Inn, Jaipur City Center.
Rajat Kalia is the new Food & Beverage Manager at The Leela Palace, New Delhi. In his new role, Kalia will oversee the F&B operations of the restaurants, bar, banquets and butler operations for The Leela Palace New Delhi’s 254 rooms and suites. Kalia began his career with The Leela Palace Bengaluru in 2006 as Assistant Restaurant Manager of Citrus, where he was involved in the day to day operations of the restaurant along with monthly training of the service team. In a short span of just 10 years of experience under his belt, Rajat has worked across leading hospitality brands in India and Maldives.
Surajit Ghose Anjali Naik Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan recently appointed Anjali Naik as the Director of Sales. An industry veteran with more than 14 years of experience, Anjali has been associated with some of the best hotel brands in the country. In her new role, she would be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies through preparation of a strategic sales plan, implementation and by monitoring progress.
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Nov-Dec ’16
Surojit Ghose recently joined The Suryaa, New Delhi as the Director of Sales. He was associated with The Suryaa in the past in the capacity of the Director of Sales Leisure. Ghose, who began his career with ITC Maurya, brings with him a vast and varied experience with a front office and sales background. In the past, he had been associated with brands like IHG, TheSoaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and The Pallazioto to mention a few.