JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Russel Issac as the hotel’s new Director of Food & Beverage. With more than a decade of diverse experience across iconic hotels and luxury resorts in India and overseas, Issac brings strategic expertise and a proven ability to deliver memorable guest experiences.

A graduate of Rizvi College of Hotel Management, Mumbai, with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Hotel Administration, Issac began his career with Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai as an Industrial Trainee. His journey spans leadership roles with Lemon Tree Hotels, The Oberoi Group, JW Marriott Mumbai, and the Taj Group of Hotels, steadily establishing himself as a dynamic hospitality leader.

In his most recent role as Associate Director of Food & Beverage at Taj Coromandel, Chennai, Issac played a key role in shaping F&B operations, enhancing guest experiences, and mentoring teams to deliver excellence. His earlier tenure at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai, managing Shamiana and Aquarius, saw him curate dining experiences aligned with global culinary trends. His international experience at Taj Exotica, Maldives, further enriched his expertise in luxury dining and personalised service.

As Director of Food & Beverage at JW Marriott Kolkata, Issac will oversee the strategic direction of the hotel’s restaurants, banquets, and in-room dining. His focus will be on innovative dining concepts, sustainable practices, and elevating guest experiences, while also driving revenue growth and operational excellence.

Commenting on the appointment, Sunil Kumar, General Manager, JW Marriott Kolkata, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Russel Issac to the JW Marriott Kolkata family. His deep expertise, creative vision and passion for food & beverage are perfectly aligned with our commitment to creating extraordinary dining journeys for our guests. We look forward to his leadership in strengthening our position as a leading culinary destination in the city.”

Outside of work, Issac enjoys freehand illustrations, reading, and playing pool, reflecting his creative personality and balance of artistry with precision.

ITC Narmada, a luxury collection hotel in Ahmedabad, has announced the appointment of Hemant Kumar Sharma as the property’s new Head of Finance. Sharma, a cost and management accountant with over 16 years of experience, has held leadership positions across India’s largest conglomerates in hospitality, manufacturing, and financial services.

In his new role at ITC Narmada, Sharma will lead the finance function, ensuring robust governance, efficient financial operations, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. He will also oversee financial planning and analysis, with a focus on enhancing value creation and supporting ITC Narmada’s long-term growth strategy in Ahmedabad’s competitive and diverse market.

Previously, Sharma served as Head of Finance at ITC Hotels Limited, managing internal audits, statutory audits, budgeting, forecasting, and monthly financial statements across multiple functions. He has also worked with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts (EIH Limited), where he managed financial planning, corporate reporting, internal controls, and strategic cost management at both property and group levels.

Commenting on his appointment, Sharma said, “I am delighted to join ITC Narmada at such an exciting stage in its journey. The property has set new benchmarks in luxury and sustainable hospitality in Ahmedabad and Gujarat, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success by strengthening financial stewardship, driving operational efficiencies, and supporting its growth vision.”

Sharma holds a CMA qualification from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), a Master of Commerce from IGNOU, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (Finance) from SCDL Pune. His expertise includes SAP implementation, IFRS integration, and the development of internal controls and standard operating procedures, making him well-equipped to guide ITC Narmada’s finance strategy in alignment with the brand’s premium hospitality standards.

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited (RateGain) has announced the appointment of Amarpreet Singh as its new Chief Customer Officer.

In this role, Singh will lead RateGain’s global customer organisation, working to enhance the client experience by leveraging AI-driven solutions to transform the customer journey, automate support, reduce churn, and create new growth opportunities. He will also focus on building a tech-augmented delivery model designed to ensure seamless implementation, faster onboarding, comprehensive global support, and continuous value realization across RateGain’s platforms.

Partnering closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams, Singh will spearhead initiatives to design smarter processes that deliver quicker results and long-term customer loyalty.

With over two decades of experience, Singh has previously held senior leadership roles at Cvent, WNS, and Gwynniebee, where he led global teams and championed technology-driven success. At Cvent, he managed worldwide support, services, and implementation, achieving significant gains in customer satisfaction (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Commenting on the appointment, Bhanu Chopra, Founder and Managing Director of RateGain, said, “Amarpreet brings deep operational expertise, a strategic mindset, and a passion for delivering value to customers at scale. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our customer organization and leverage AI to deliver more personalized, proactive, and impactful experiences for our partners worldwide.”

This appointment underscores RateGain’s commitment to customer-centric innovation and its focus on harnessing AI to build stronger, more resilient partnerships in the global travel and hospitality technology ecosystem.