Amrut Distilleries Elevates Ashok Chokalingam as COO & Master Distiller

Amrut Distilleries Elevates Ashok Chokalingam as COO & Master Distiller

By Hariharan U

Published on March 27, 2026

Amrut Distilleries has elevated Ashok Chokalingam to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Master Distiller. This move reflects the company’s focus on aligning its global strategy with technical expertise as it continues to grow its presence in the premium whisky segment.

The role has been introduced to bring together international marketing and distillation under one leadership, recognising Chokalingam’s ability to bridge both areas. His journey with Amrut has played a key role in taking Indian single malt whisky to global audiences while shaping the brand’s craft and innovation.

Over the years, he has been closely involved in global tastings, masterclasses, and industry interactions, building a deep understanding of consumer preferences across markets. These insights have directly influenced experimentation at the distillery, from cask selection and maturation techniques to blending styles and flavour profiles.

His approach connects feedback from international markets back into production, ensuring that every innovation remains relevant and purposeful. This has helped Amrut maintain a balance between traditional craftsmanship and evolving global tastes.

This leadership change marks a new phase for the company, with a sharper focus on integrating operations and brand direction. It is expected to drive innovation in distillation and blending, while strengthening the global positioning of Indian single malts.

Commenting on the appointment, Rakshit N Jagdale said, “Ashok’s elevation is deeply personal and immensely satisfying for me. He embodies the very best of home-grown talent, evolving with the company, challenging conventions and raising the bar for Indian single malt. Beyond technical brilliance, his global mandate makes this appointment special. He has taken India’s whisky story to the world, absorbed international insights and applied them to strengthen our craft at home. He speaks both the language of our house style and the consumer. Formalizing this role gives me immense pride and joy as we continue building a proudly Indian, globally respected house of excellence.”

Sharing his thoughts, Chokalingam said, “I am deeply grateful to our Chairman & Managing Director, Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, for his trust and belief in me. Amrut has never been a conventional company, and my journey here has been equally unconventional — from sales and international markets to the still house and maturation warehouses. That freedom to experiment, question norms, and bridge the gap between the market and production has shaped me both as a professional and as a craftsman. Amrut gave me the platform to learn globally and create locally. I accept this responsibility with humility and determination, committed to honoring our legacy while continuing to push the boundaries of Indian single malt.”

Chokalingam began his journey with Amrut in 2004 and has since held key roles across international sales, marketing, and distillation. He later took charge of distilling operations, overseeing the creation of several well-known expressions and strengthening the brand’s premium portfolio.

He has also received multiple global recognitions, including ‘Whisky Ambassador of the Year’ and ‘Master Distiller / Blender of the Year’ by Whisky Magazine.

With this elevation, Amrut Distilleries aims to further strengthen its position as a leading name in Indian single malt whisky, combining craft excellence with a clear global vision.


Hyatt Regency Lucknow Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Sales & Revenue Appointments

Hyatt Regency Lucknow Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Sales & Revenue Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on May 26, 2026

Hyatt Regency Lucknow has announced two key leadership appointments aimed at strengthening its commercial and revenue performance strategy.

Abhishek Sengupta has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing, bringing over 17 years of experience in hospitality sales, marketing, and strategic business management. He has previously worked with leading hospitality groups including Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group, The Lalit Hotels, and The Park Hotels.

Throughout his career, he has led key operational segments including rooms, banquets, F&B sales, reservations, and revenue teams, consistently driving both top-line and bottom-line performance. He is recognised for his expertise in corporate sales, market expansion, revenue optimisation, strategic partnerships, and pre-opening hotel operations.

Meraj Faiz has been appointed as Revenue Manager at the property. An alumnus of Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata, he brings over 17 years of experience across revenue management, reservations, and front office operations.

He has previously worked with leading brands including InterContinental Hotels Group, Radisson Hotel Group, Hilton Worldwide, The Lalit Hotels, and The Park Hotels. In his previous role at The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa, he played a key role in shaping revenue strategies and supporting business growth.

With these appointments, Hyatt Regency Lucknow aims to further strengthen its commercial positioning, enhance revenue optimisation, and expand its market reach across key segments.


Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Elevates Saurav Banerjee as Director of Rooms

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Elevates Saurav Banerjee as Director of Rooms

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 26, 2026

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the elevation of Saurav Banerjee to the role of Director of Rooms. The move highlights the hotel’s continued focus on recognising internal talent and creating growth opportunities for employees within the organisation.

Saurav’s journey at Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse reflects the brand’s approach to developing and promoting dedicated professionals into leadership positions. Over the years, he has held important operational responsibilities and played a key role in supporting the hotel’s growth.

With strong experience in Front Office and Rooms Division operations, Saurav has made valuable contributions across service quality, operational excellence, and team development. His appointment comes as the hotel continues to strengthen its focus on delivering enhanced guest experiences while investing in leaders who grow alongside the brand.

Commenting on the promotion, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, said, “Saurav’s promotion is a proud milestone and a reflection of the dedication and consistency he has brought to the hotel over the years. At Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, we believe in recognising people who grow with us and create lasting value for both guests and teams.”

Speaking on his elevation, Saurav Banerjee, Director of Rooms, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, shared, “I’m excited to begin a new chapter as Director of Rooms at Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my incredible team and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout this journey. The road ahead is filled with exciting opportunities, and I look forward to creating many more success stories and memorable experiences together.”

With this appointment, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse continues to strengthen a workplace culture that values commitment, rewards performance, and supports employee growth, while further building its reputation for delivering memorable guest experiences and developing leaders from within.


Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Prasanna Thiruvenkadam as Director of Sales

Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Prasanna Thiruvenkadam as Director of Sales

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 26, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati has announced the appointment of Prasanna Thiruvenkadam as its Director of Sales. With more than a decade of experience in hospitality sales, he brings strong commercial expertise, a relationship-focused approach, and a proven track record of driving business growth across competitive markets.

In his new role, Prasanna will lead the hotel’s sales and business development strategies with a focus on strengthening commercial performance and positioning the newly opened property as a preferred destination for guests and business partners. Along with overseeing sales initiatives, he will also contribute to shaping the hotel’s marketing direction and further strengthen its position within Tirupati’s growing hospitality and spiritual tourism landscape.

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Prasanna was also a key member of the hotel’s pre-opening team, where he played an important role in developing and executing the sales framework before the property’s launch. He will continue to oversee business growth across important segments including spiritual travel, leisure, corporate business, MICE, weddings, social events, and travel trade.

Before joining Marriott International, Prasanna worked with Accor in cluster sales and leadership roles, where he built strong market knowledge across South India, particularly in the Coimbatore and Chennai regions. His understanding of customer preferences and business trends in these markets brings valuable insights to his new role in Tirupati. He has also held positions with Hilton as Assistant Sales Manager and with Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts as Sales Executive, adding experience across leading global hospitality brands.

Commenting on his appointment, Prasanna Thiruvenkadam, Director of Sales, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, said, "Tirupati is a truly unique and dynamic market, with strong demand spanning spiritual travel, family stays, corporate movement, and social events. I am delighted to join Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati at such an important stage of the hotel's journey. My focus will be on building meaningful partnerships, deepening our presence across key segments, and ensuring that the hotel becomes the preferred destination for guests and business partners across the region."

Speaking on the appointment, Samata Danday Chand, Hotel Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, said, "We are very pleased to welcome Prasanna to our leadership team. His extensive knowledge of the South Indian market, combined with his relationship-driven approach to sales and his ability to identify and convert new business opportunities, will be a significant asset as we establish Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati in this vibrant market. We are confident that his leadership will contribute meaningfully to the hotel's commercial success and long-term growth."

With Prasanna Thiruvenkadam leading the sales function, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is set to further strengthen its presence in the market while building stronger connections with guests, business partners, and the wider travel community across the region.

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