Kochi Marriott has welcomed Sharon Raj as the new Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing three of Marriott’s key properties in Kerala—Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

With a strong career spanning over two decades, Sharon brings rich experience in sales leadership, brand strategy, and multi-property commercial operations. Her professional journey includes working with reputed global hospitality names such as Accor, IHG, and The Executive Centre. Most recently, she was the Cluster Director of Sales & Operations for ibis Chennai City Centre and ibis Chennai Sipcot, where she drove revenue and operational improvements, even stepping in for a strategic taskforce role at ibis Navi Mumbai.

An alumna of S.C.S. Kothari Academy, Sharon holds a Bachelor's degree in Management Science, specializing in Marketing and Human Resources. Her academic foundation, combined with her hands-on experience, makes her a dynamic addition to Marriott’s leadership team in South India.

Sharon joins the Marriott Kerala cluster at a pivotal time when Kochi’s tourism and MICE potential is rapidly growing. “I look forward to spearheading the commercial strategy for these three exceptional properties,” said Sharon. “There’s incredible potential in Kochi, especially as a MICE destination, and I’m excited to explore new opportunities to showcase this vibrant city on the global stage.”

Sachin Malhotra, General Manager at Kochi Marriott, shared his excitement about the new leadership, stating,

“We’re happy to have Sharon on board. Her diverse background and proven expertise make her a valuable addition to our leadership team as we continue to elevate the Marriott experience in Kochi.”

With her strategic mindset, cross-brand exposure, and people-first leadership approach, Sharon Raj is set to lead a transformative phase for Marriott’s presence in Kerala, particularly as the region eyes significant growth in corporate travel and destination events.

 JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Mr. Junaid Saifi as the new Information Technology (IT) Manager, strengthening its leadership team with a focus on technological advancement and digital innovation. With over five years of experience in IT operations, infrastructure development, and digital transformation, Junaid joins the hotel as one of the youngest and most dynamic Multi-Property IT Managers within the Marriott portfolio.

A postgraduate in Master of Computer Applications from KIIT University and a graduate of Agra University, Junaid's strong academic background in technology complements his natural problem-solving skills and solution-oriented approach.

Before this role, Junaid served as the Multi-Property IT Manager for Four Points by Sheraton Srinagar and Sonmarg, where he played a crucial role in streamlining IT operations and driving technical readiness for new property launches. His leadership was instrumental in launching Four Points by Sheraton Sonmarg in 2024, overseeing IT infrastructure setup, security implementation, and system integration. His earlier experiences at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, and Manappuram Finance added to his expertise in systems migration, infrastructure optimization, cybersecurity, and enterprise application management.

At JW Marriott Kolkata, Junaid will spearhead the implementation of Marriott’s global IT platforms, ensuring seamless integration with property-specific operations. He will be responsible for infrastructure management, cybersecurity, systems performance, and compliance, while leading digital transformation initiatives to enhance guest experience and operational efficiency.

Junaid’s technical portfolio covers complex projects such as VMware ESXi Server Installation, Opera PMS 5.6 Upgrades, Shiji Infrasys Cloud POS Implementation, Mobile Key and GPNS Deployment, Windows 10 Desktop Upgrades, and Digital Signage and Server Room Setup. He is well-versed with enterprise-level applications including Oracle Opera-PMS, Oracle Simphony-POS, VMware, Veeam, Veritas Backup, Webex, and Active Directory. His strengths also include team management, vendor negotiations, and business continuity planning.

In his new role, Junaid will develop and execute strategic IT plans, manage and optimize the hotel's hardware and software infrastructure, implement strong cybersecurity measures, lead IT project management, manage vendor relations, ensure compliance, and provide technical training and support across departments.

“We are delighted to welcome Junaid Saifi to JW Marriott Kolkata,” said Mr. Sunil Kumar, General Manager, JW Marriott Kolkata. “His appointment reaffirms our dedication to staying at the cutting edge of hospitality technology. Junaid brings not only technical prowess but also visionary leadership, and we are confident he will be a great asset to our executive team.”

As the youngest Multi-Property IT Manager within Marriott International, Junaid’s journey is a testament to his dedication, agility, and passion for innovation. With his forward-thinking approach and deep IT expertise, he is set to play a key role in shaping the future of technology at JW Marriott Kolkata and elevating the guest experience to new heights.

In a bold move that signals its next chapter of expansion and innovation, SKIL, one of India's leading names in corporate travel, events, and mobility, has appointed Vikash Kejriwal as its new Chief Executive Officer. This leadership transition marks a major milestone for SKIL, placing a visionary and proven business leader at the helm of the fast-evolving company.

Vikash steps into the CEO role after an impactful tenure as Chief Operating Officer at CABI by SKIL, where he led the transformation of a traditional transport service into one of India's fastest-growing corporate ground mobility solutions. Under his leadership, CABI scaled operations rapidly and earned national accolades, including the Excellence in Ground Mobility award at the Asian Business Leadership Awards 2024.

His journey with SKIL began as Business Director at CABI by SKIL, where he reimagined operational frameworks and expanded the group’s service footprint. With over two decades of professional experience in CXO-level roles at top firms like ICICI, ING, and MetLife, Vikash brings a deep cross-sector understanding of finance, risk management, distribution, and customer experience.

"I'm incredibly honored to lead SKIL as CEO," said Vikash Kejriwal. "This company is built on energy, ambition, and a passion for execution — values that deeply resonate with me. From transforming mobility with CABI to elevating experiences through SKIL Events and SKIL Travel, we've only just scratched the surface of what's possible. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams to scale innovation, strengthen client partnerships, and unlock the next phase of growth across all verticals."

Known for his strategic clarity and hands-on leadership style, Vikash has consistently scaled businesses, fostered high-performance cultures, and driven customer-first innovations.

"Vikash has been a catalyst of transformation at SKIL," said Shylender Jindal, Founder & Managing Director, SKIL. "He brings the rare combination of strategic foresight and operational depth. His understanding of the business, people-first mindset, and relentless focus on quality makes him the right leader to take SKIL into its next era. We are confident that under his leadership, SKIL will scale greater heights  with agility, excellence, and innovation at the core."

With Vikash Kejriwal at the helm, SKIL is poised to deepen its impact across its flagship brands  SKIL Travel, SKIL Events, and CABI by SKIL, while exploring new frontiers in integrated experience solutions, global mobility, and digital-first travel ecosystems.

As the company continues to evolve, SKIL remains committed to delivering people-centric, tech-enabled, and experience-rich solutions that empower corporate India on the move and on the rise.