Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 has announced the appointment of Milan Rawal as its new Human Resources Manager.

Milan brings over nine years of progressive experience in hospitality human resources, having worked with reputed organisations such as Foodlink F&B Holdings Ltd., Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, Hyatt Place Hampi, and Goan Recreation Clubs Pvt. Ltd.

In her new role, she will oversee the hotel’s entire human resources function, including talent acquisition, payroll management, employee relations, workforce planning and budgeting, employee engagement, learning and development, as well as compliance with HR policies and labour laws.

Academically, she holds a PGDM from MIT University and a Master of Commerce degree from S.S. Dempo College of Commerce & Economics.

Speaking on the appointment, Rishabh Jain, General Manager of Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90, said, “We are delighted to welcome Milan to our leadership team. Her strong HR expertise and people-centric approach will play a key role in strengthening our workplace culture and supporting the hotel’s continued growth.”

Milan Rawal shared, “I am excited to join Holiday Inn Gurugram Sector 90 and look forward to contributing towards building a positive and engaging work environment while supporting the team’s growth and success.”

Outside of work, she enjoys playing badminton, travelling, and spending time with her family

Urban Italia, a well-known destination for authentic Italian dining and premium hospitality in Dallas, has announced the appointment of Naveen Kandhol as its new Food and Beverage Manager.

With over a decade of experience across luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants, and leading beverage companies in India, Naveen brings strong expertise in food and beverage operations, beverage programme development, guest engagement, team leadership, and revenue optimisation.

In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing restaurant and bar operations, managing departmental budgets, driving profitability, curating innovative beverage menus, strengthening inventory and cost controls, and leading staff training initiatives to enhance overall guest experience. He will also collaborate closely with the culinary team to design curated food and beverage pairings that elevate Urban Italia’s dining offerings.

Speaking on his appointment, Naveen Kandhol said,“I am excited to join Urban Italia and contribute to its commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. I look forward to creating innovative beverage programs, strengthening operational excellence, and building memorable experiences for our guests.”

Prior to this role, Naveen served as Key Accounts Manager at Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, where he handled the Indri Indian Single Malt and Camikara Rum portfolios across Delhi and Haryana. His work included cocktail innovation using Indian ingredients, bartender training programmes, research and development initiatives, and brand collaborations to strengthen market engagement.

His career journey also includes leadership roles at Townhall New Delhi as Food and Beverage Manager, where he successfully increased beverage sales through contemporary cocktail innovation and strategic premium brand partnerships. He has also held key positions at Novelle Shangri-La New Delhi, Whisky Samba Gurugram, and The Fatty Bao New Delhi.

Known for his creativity in beverage development, strong operational discipline, and leadership capabilities, Naveen has consistently contributed to improving guest satisfaction, enhancing operational efficiency, and building high-performing hospitality teams.

Urban Italia stated that Naveen’s extensive industry experience and passion for hospitality will play a key role in strengthening the restaurant’s position as one of Dallas’ preferred dining destinations.

Leads Brand Connect has announced the appointment of Puneet Chhabra as Business Head for Amazonika Mundi India, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands the Brazilian plant-based food brand’s presence in the Indian market.

Under the exclusive sales, marketing, and distribution partnership between Leads Brand Connect and Amazonika Mundi India, Chhabra will be responsible for driving revenue growth, business operations, and market expansion across multiple channels, including HoReCa, food service, B2B, modern trade, and online platforms.

A seasoned professional with nearly 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Chhabra brings extensive expertise in brand building, distribution development, commercial leadership, and market expansion. His responsibilities will also include leading product innovation initiatives across ready-to-cook, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-drink categories.

Commenting on the appointment, Richa Khandelwal, Founder and Managing Director of Leads Brand Connect, said Chhabra’s experience across institutional, retail, and digital channels makes him well-positioned to accelerate Amazonika Mundi’s growth strategy in India.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Chhabra highlighted the growing demand for healthier and more sustainable food choices among Indian consumers. He noted that Amazonika Mundi’s plant-based portfolio aligns strongly with evolving consumer preferences and presents significant opportunities across retail and food service segments.

Throughout his career, Chhabra has held leadership positions with several prominent food and beverage companies, including Kohinoor Foods, Amira G Foods, Miraya International, AAA Foods, Borges India, and Lavazza. He has also worked extensively with leading hospitality and retail brands, including Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels, Oberoi Hotels, Marriott, Accor, IHG, Walmart India, Reliance Mart, and Spencer’s.

Founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2020, Amazonika Mundi is a 100 percent plant-based food company inspired by Brazil’s biodiversity. The brand traces its roots to Sottile Alimentos, a startup launched by brothers Thiago Rosolem and Bruno Rosolem in 2018. Since its inception, the company has focused on creating sustainable and innovative food products using natural Brazilian ingredients.

Today, Amazonika Mundi operates in Brazil, India, Israel, and Switzerland, with ambitions to expand its footprint further through premium plant-based food offerings and sustainable food solutions.

Leads Brand Connect, headquartered in Noida, has evolved from an integrated communications agency into a growing consumer brands company. Alongside Amazonika Mundi, the company manages brands such as Coração do Vale and continues to bring international gourmet and lifestyle brands to the Indian market.