Spalba, a leading event-tech platform, has announced the appointment of Deepanshu Gupta as its Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2026. The move marks a key leadership transition as the company looks to scale its experiential offerings while strengthening its technology and marketplace platforms.

In his new role, Deepanshu will be responsible for Spalba’s overall strategy and execution. His mandate includes strengthening the core experiential business, advancing technology-led solutions, building robust operating systems, expanding across priority markets, and ensuring consistency and governance across deliveries. A strong focus will also be placed on financial discipline, leadership development and creating a culture anchored in accountability and long-term partnerships.

Deepanshu brings extensive experience across live events, experiential marketing and organisational scale-up. Throughout his career, he has remained closely aligned with the experiential ecosystem, combining hands-on event management expertise with leadership roles focused on growth and transformation through technology.

“Spalba represents the perfect intersection of what has defined my professional journey: experiential marketing, technology, and the challenge of building organisations for scale,” said Deepanshu Gupta, CEO, Spalba. “I am excited to lead the teams, strengthen our marketplace and tech platforms, and deliver consistent, high-impact experiences for our clients.”

Commenting on the appointment, Naveen Gupta, Founder, Spalba, said that the experiential industry is entering a phase where scale and technology are as important as creativity. “Deepanshu brings a strong combination of on-ground event expertise and organisational leadership, which is essential for building a platform that can grow sustainably. His approach to integrating technology with live experiences closely aligns with Spalba’s vision for its next phase.”

Spalba operates an event-tech platform that connects brands and agencies with venues and experiential service providers. The appointment of Deepanshu Gupta comes at a time when the company is sharpening its focus on technology-driven execution and expansion, positioning itself to meet the evolving demands of India’s growing experiential and live events market.

The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas has announced the appointment of Vivek Pandey as its new director of food and beverage, further strengthening the resort’s leadership team. With more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Pandey brings a strong background in restaurant management, large-scale events, and guest-centric food and beverage operations.

Pandey began his hospitality journey at Hyatt Regency Kolkata, where he spent close to a decade building his expertise across operations and events. He later expanded his experience at Park Hyatt Goa and Grand Hyatt Mumbai, gaining deeper exposure to premium dining and service standards. His career progression continued at Hyatt Regency Dehradun, where he handled larger responsibilities as event operations manager, before moving to JW Marriott Mumbai as banquet manager, overseeing high-profile events and complex banquet functions.

Most recently, Pandey served as assistant director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Dehradun. In this role, he was closely involved in driving culinary innovation, improving service delivery, and nurturing team development, contributing to overall operational growth.

In his new role at The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas, Pandey will focus on enhancing the resort’s Unique Dining Experiences (UDEs) through refined concepts, compelling storytelling, and carefully curated guest journeys. He will also work on building a strong non-resident dining strategy, positioning the resort’s restaurants and bars as preferred choices for local diners, while encouraging a work culture that supports associate wellbeing, engagement, and long-term growth.

Commenting on his appointment, Pandey said, “The Westin Himalayas is a truly distinctive destination, seamlessly blending wellness, nature, and elevated hospitality. I am excited to be part of a property that has already set strong benchmarks in experiential luxury. I look forward to working closely with the team to further enhance our culinary offerings, create meaningful dining experiences, and contribute to the resort’s continued evolution as a leading destination for wellbeing-driven hospitality.”

Welcoming the appointment, Chinmaya Chikkamath, general manager, The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas, said, “Food and beverage is a core pillar of the guest journey at The Westin Himalayas, and Vivek’s depth of experience, creative vision, and people-focused leadership make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. His strong understanding of destination dining, combined with his commitment to innovation and team wellbeing, will play a key role in further strengthening our culinary offerings and elevating the overall resort experience.”

Kochi Marriott Hotel has announced the appointment of Yogendra Indulkar as its new Director of Operations, reinforcing the hotel’s leadership team with seasoned operational expertise and a strong guest-centric approach.

With over 20 years of experience in hotel operations, Yogendra brings a well-rounded understanding of luxury and upper-upscale hospitality. His career spans senior leadership roles across renowned brands including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and Ecotel Hotels, where he has managed large inventory hotels and complex, multi-outlet operations.

Known for delivering consistent operational and financial performance, Yogendra combines commercial acumen with a hands-on leadership style. A graduate in Hospitality Management and Catering Operations, he is recognised for his collaborative approach, strong interpersonal skills, and focus on continuous improvement across teams and processes.

Commenting on his appointment, Yogendra Indulkar said, “I am delighted to join Kochi Marriott Hotel as Director of Operations and look forward to working with the team to strengthen operational excellence and deliver consistently elevated guest experiences.”

Welcoming him to the leadership team, Sachin Malhotra, General Manager, Kochi Marriott Hotel, stated, “Yogendra’s operational depth, financial discipline, and people-focused leadership will play a key role in strengthening our performance and market position.”

In his new role, Yogendra Indulkar will lead hotel operations with a focus on efficiency, service quality, and team engagement, further reinforcing Kochi Marriott Hotel’s commitment to exceptional hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.