Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) has announced the appointment of Kumar Chinnasamy as its new Director of Engineering, strengthening the leadership team at one of the city’s leading hospitality and MICE destinations.

With over a decade of experience in hotel engineering and technical operations, Chinnasamy brings expertise across preventive maintenance, energy management, sustainability initiatives, and large-scale infrastructure operations within luxury and upscale hospitality environments. Known for his hands-on leadership approach, he has successfully managed complex engineering functions while ensuring operational efficiency, safety compliance, and guest comfort.

Prior to joining NHCC, Chinnasamy held senior engineering roles with leading hospitality brands including Accor Hotels and Indian Hotels Company Limited (Taj Group), contributing to the smooth operations of large-format hotels and integrated hospitality assets.

In his new role, Chinnasamy will oversee the complete engineering and maintenance operations of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. His responsibilities include strengthening asset management, driving energy optimisation, enhancing sustainability practices, and supporting the property’s long-term operational excellence.

Commenting on his appointment, Kumar Chinnasamy said, “I am delighted to join Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre at a time when the property continues to evolve as a leading hospitality and MICE destination. I look forward to working closely with the team to enhance engineering excellence, drive sustainable practices, and support seamless guest experiences across the hotel and convention centre.”

Rubin Cherian, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, added, “We are delighted to welcome Kumar to the NHCC leadership team. His technical acumen, operational discipline, and forward-thinking approach will play a key role in strengthening our engineering function and supporting the property’s continued growth.”

Sayaji Kolhapur has announced the appointment of Mr. Yogesh Kumar as its new Food & Beverage Manager, strengthening the property’s leadership team with a seasoned hospitality professional who brings over 17 years of experience in Food & Beverage operations.

Mr. Kumar has held key leadership roles with reputed hospitality brands including Radisson, Park Plaza, and Sarovar Hotels. His career also includes valuable international exposure in Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies, where he gained hands-on experience across diverse culinary formats, high-volume service environments, and large-scale banqueting operations.

Welcoming the appointment, Mukesh Rakshit, General Manager, Sayaji Kolhapur, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Yogesh Kumar to the Sayaji Kolhapur team. His strong operational expertise, international exposure, and proven track record in managing complex Food & Beverage operations will play a significant role in enhancing our service standards. We are confident that his leadership will contribute to elevating guest experiences and supporting the continued growth of the property.”

An accomplished Food & Beverage professional, Mr. Kumar brings strong capabilities in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, P&L management, cost control, and revenue optimisation. He has successfully led restaurants, bars, banquets, destination events, and large-format functions, consistently driving operational efficiency and business performance.

Prior to joining Sayaji Kolhapur, Mr. Kumar was associated with Sayaji Udaipur Resort & Spa, where his leadership contributed to the property receiving recognition from Forbes and Vogue. During his tenure, the resort hosted a high-profile destination wedding featured in Vogue, reinforcing its positioning in the luxury wedding segment.

In his new role, Mr. Kumar will oversee the strategic direction and performance of the Food & Beverage department, focusing on revenue growth, cost optimisation, team leadership, and delivering consistently high-quality dining experiences aligned with Sayaji’s brand standards.

Expressing his thoughts on the appointment, Mr. Kumar said, “I am honoured to join Sayaji Kolhapur, a brand known for its strong legacy and commitment to excellence. I look forward to working closely with the team to further enhance our Food & Beverage offerings, drive operational performance, and create memorable experiences for every guest.”

Espire Hospitality Limited has announced the appointment of two senior sales leaders as part of its continued focus on strengthening its commercial strategy and supporting long-term growth across its portfolio, including ZANA Luxury Resorts and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts.

Mr. Deepak Malasi has joined the company as Director of Sales. With over twelve years of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings strong expertise in sales leadership, market development, and relationship management. During his nearly decade-long tenure with Royal Orchid and Regenta Hotels, he handled key segments such as Domestic, Inbound, MICE, and Travel Trade across Delhi NCR and Uttarakhand. Known for his structured approach, strong client relationships, and people-first leadership style, Deepak is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Espire Hospitality’s sales strategy and improving regional performance.

Further strengthening the national sales framework, Ms. Prabhnoor Kaur has been appointed as National Sales Director – Punjab. She brings a dynamic sales background with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and expanding market presence. In her previous role as Associate Director of Sales – National Sales for Punjab at Royal Orchid Hotels, she led strategic initiatives across Travel Trade, Corporates, Education, Event Planners, Government, and PSU segments. Her earlier experience across Banquet Sales and Front Office operations with hotel groups such as Welcome, Sarovar, and Hyatt adds a strong operational perspective to her sales expertise.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Akhil Arora, CEO and Managing Director of Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “We are delighted to welcome Deepak and Prabhnoor to the Espire Hospitality family at an important phase of our growth journey. Both leaders bring strong market knowledge, proven sales expertise, and a deep understanding of the hospitality business. Their experience and leadership will play a crucial role in strengthening our sales framework, deepening client relationships, and supporting our expansion across key markets.”

In their respective roles, both leaders will focus on strengthening sales strategies, building long-term partnerships, and supporting Espire Hospitality Limited’s commercial objectives across regions. Their combined experience is expected to contribute significantly to the company’s next phase of growth.