Sunday Hotels, a global hospitality brand under Prism backed by SoftBank, has announced the appointment of Firoz Khan as Director and Channel Head – Business Development, India.

The appointment further strengthens the company’s leadership team as the brand continues to focus on strategic expansion and partnership-driven growth across the country.

In his new role, Firoz will lead business development and channel strategy initiatives, with a focus on identifying high-potential markets, building stronger partner ecosystems, and developing a scalable growth structure across the brand’s portfolio.

Firoz brings more than 16 years of industry experience with expertise in market entry strategies, brand positioning, mall zoning, tenant mix planning, retail operations, and long-term brand sustainability. Throughout his career, he has developed strong relationships with developers, retailers, and institutional stakeholders, helping drive successful expansion strategies across different real estate markets in India.

Before joining Sunday Hotels, Firoz served as Vice President and Head – North India Business at PPZ, where he managed the company’s North India portfolio. During his tenure, he focused on regional growth, developer partnerships, and asset acquisition while working closely with leadership teams on business planning and performance strategies. His responsibilities also included operations, marketing, budgeting, leasing, and SOH management.

Earlier in his career, he worked as Associate Director at Colliers International, where he handled projects across multiple markets and collaborated with retailers and developers nationwide. In this role, he also supported several retail and startup brands in shaping their expansion plans and business development strategies across Tier I, II, and III cities.

Firoz has also worked closely with major brands including Walmart, Metro Cash & Carry, and PVR INOX, contributing towards retail expansion across emerging markets. His professional journey also includes key roles at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, and JLL.

Commenting on his appointment, Firoz Khan said,

"For me, business development has always been about understanding how markets evolve and building partnerships with intent. What stood out about Sunday Hotels is the clarity in its growth vision and the opportunity to build in a way that is both structured and sustainable. There is strong potential to deepen channel relationships and approach expansion more thoughtfully, and I look forward to working with the team to shape that journey in the years ahead."

With this appointment, Sunday Hotels aims to further strengthen its business development capabilities while continuing to build a scalable and future-ready hospitality platform.

JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Saket Verma as Hotel Manager, further strengthening the hotel’s focus on luxury hospitality, operational excellence, and leadership in Eastern India’s premium hospitality market.

With more than 15 years of experience across globally recognised hospitality brands, Saket Verma brings a strong mix of commercial understanding and operational expertise to the role. Known for balancing business performance with elevated guest experiences, his leadership approach combines strategic thinking with a guest-focused mindset that aligns with the changing expectations of modern luxury travellers.

Before joining JW Marriott Kolkata in this role, Saket served at Courtyard by Marriott Raipur, where he played an important role in improving financial performance, strengthening guest satisfaction scores, and driving agile revenue strategies in a competitive market. His tenure focused strongly on profitability and long-term sustainable growth.

Earlier, he worked as Multi-Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing for JW Marriott Kolkata and Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri. During this period, he contributed significantly towards strengthening commercial strategies, improving brand positioning, and delivering consistent RevPAR growth across both properties.

Saket’s career journey also includes experience with leading hospitality groups such as The Oberoi Group, Hilton, and Accor, giving him extensive exposure across luxury and upscale hospitality segments.

In his new role, Saket will oversee the hotel’s overall operations, with a focus on enhancing service standards, strengthening guest engagement, and driving strong financial results while further reinforcing JW Marriott Kolkata’s position in the luxury hospitality sector.

Commenting on his appointment, Saket Verma said,

"JW Marriott represents a legacy of refined luxury and intuitive service. I look forward to building on this strong foundation by nurturing a culture that seamlessly integrates performance excellence with meaningful guest experiences."

In the fast-evolving world of hospitality marketing, where guest experiences are shaped as carefully as the destinations themselves, Sandhya Johari has carved a distinctive space through her thoughtful blend of strategy, storytelling, and consumer insight.

As the Marketing Manager at The Orchid Hotel Mumbai, Sandhya plays an important role in strengthening the hotel’s brand presence across multiple touchpoints. From integrated marketing campaigns and digital storytelling to media relations, strategic collaborations, and experiential initiatives, her work contributes significantly to the hotel’s positioning within Mumbai’s luxury hospitality landscape.

Recognised for her collaborative leadership style and sharp understanding of evolving consumer behaviour, Sandhya works closely with teams across departments to ensure that every campaign reflects the hotel’s core values of sustainability, warmth, and refined hospitality. Her ability to balance creative storytelling with strategic execution has helped reinforce The Orchid Hotel’s identity as one of the city’s recognised hospitality destinations.

With more than a decade of experience across hospitality, dining, and lifestyle brands, Sandhya’s professional journey reflects versatility and a strong understanding of audience engagement. Before joining The Orchid Hotel, she contributed to communication strategies for brands such as Ribbons & Balloons and Yellow Banana Food Company’s popular dining concepts PopTates and Urban Tadka. Her experience with globally recognised luxury dining brands Hakkasan and Yauatcha under KA Hospitality further deepened her expertise in premium brand positioning and guest experiences.

Earlier in her career, her association with Mirah Hospitality across Citrus Hotels and Manchester United Café Bar shaped her perspective on experiential branding and lifestyle-driven consumer engagement. Over the years, she has consistently led impactful PR campaigns, strategic collaborations, and culturally relevant brand narratives that resonate strongly with modern audiences.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sandhya is also a devoted mother, balancing the demands of a fast-paced hospitality career alongside family life with remarkable grace. Her journey reflects the modern working woman who leads with both ambition and empathy, creating meaningful experiences professionally while nurturing relationships personally.

This Mother’s Day, Sandhya Johari stands as an inspiring example of leadership, resilience, and creativity, continuing to shape brands, experiences, and relationships with the same warmth and thoughtfulness that define her approach to life and work.