Hilton's New Era in India: Zubin Saxena Takes Charge as Country Head

Hilton's New Era in India: Zubin Saxena Takes Charge as Country Head

By Author

Published on November 22, 2023

Hilton has recently announced a major leadership change in its Indian operations. Zubin Saxena has been appointed as the new Senior Vice President and Country Head for India, marking a significant shift in the company's strategy for the region. Saxena, an industry veteran with a rich 24-year background in hospitality, is set to take the reins in January 2024.

Saxena's journey in the hospitality sector has been remarkable. Before joining Hilton, he was with Radisson Hotel Group for over eight years, ascending to the role of Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President for South Asia. His career also includes a notable four-year tenure at IHG, where he served as the Director of Development for South Asia, and advisory roles with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in India and HVS in New York. Armed with an MBA from the Adam Smith School of Business in Glasgow, Saxena is known for his leadership and team-building skills.

In his new role at Hilton, Saxena will oversee the company's 25 operational hotels in India. His primary focus will be on driving Hilton's expansion in South Asia, with 20 properties currently in the pipeline. Saxena's appointment follows the departure of Navjit Ahluwalia, who has been instrumental in Hilton's growth in India over the past six years, including steering the company through the pandemic.

Ahluwalia's tenure saw significant milestones, like the opening of the Hilton Goa Resort, Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, and the DoubleTree by Hilton in Varanasi, among others. He also launched Hilton's new corporate office in Gurugram.

With India representing a major opportunity for Hilton, Saxena's appointment comes at a crucial time. "I am excited by the size and scope of the role and look forward to leading and delivering on our ambitious goals in this incredibly dynamic market,” Saxena commented on his new role. Under his leadership, Hilton aims to triple its estate, introducing new brands such as the Waldorf Astoria Jaipur, set to open in 2027.

Saxena's appointment marks a new chapter for Hilton in India, as the company gears up to expand its footprint and continue its legacy of excellence in hospitality. The industry eagerly awaits the new heights Hilton will achieve under Saxena's visionary leadership.


The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments

The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on September 30, 2025

 The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences has strengthened its leadership team with two key appointments, Uma Mahesh Rao as Executive Housekeeper and Siddharth Khurana as Front Office Manager. Both bring extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, marking a step forward in the hotel’s mission to deliver exceptional service and personalised guest experiences.

Uma Mahesh Rao, with over two decades of experience in housekeeping at top luxury hotels including The Orchid Mumbai, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, and JW Marriott Mumbai, has been recognised as Hotelier of the Year – Best Housekeeper (2018). At The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, he will lead housekeeping and laundry operations, continuing the brand’s legacy of operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

Siddharth Khurana joins as Front Office Manager, bringing experience across Hyatt Hotels in Gurgaon, Amritsar, New Delhi, and Ludhiana. Known for enhancing guest loyalty, service innovations, and managing large teams, he will oversee front office operations, ensuring seamless and personalised experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.

Virender Razdan, General Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome Uma Mahesh and Siddharth to our leadership team. Their passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our brand ethos. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in strengthening our guest experience and service standards.”

These appointments underline The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru’s dedication to maintaining world-class service, operational efficiency, and unparalleled luxury hospitality.

About The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences:
Located within Bengaluru’s Bhartiya City SEZ, the hotel features 281 elegantly appointed rooms designed for both business and leisure travellers. Dining options include Quattro (all-day dining), The Lotus Oriental (Pan-Asian cuisine), Falak (North Indian cuisine, ranked among Condé Nast Traveller 2023 top 27), and The Library Bar. Strategically near the IT corridor, Financial District, and the airport, the hotel is recognised for its luxury, convenience, and service excellence, earning accolades such as the Times Food & Nightlife Award and Travel + Leisure India’s Best Leisure Hotel.


The Ritz-Carlton Pune Elevates Sangram Raje to Director of Sales

The Ritz-Carlton Pune Elevates Sangram Raje to Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on September 29, 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the elevation of Sangram Raje to director of sales. With more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, Raje brings a strong record of building client relationships, driving revenue, and positioning hotels as leading destinations.

In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and brand management, working closely with the senior leadership team to design and implement growth strategies. His promotion reflects his consistent performance, leadership skills, and ability to deliver results in a highly competitive market.

Raje joined The Ritz-Carlton, Pune in February 2024 and has since played a vital role in leading corporate sales, cross-selling Marriott Hotels across India, and building long-term partnerships with top corporate clients. His efforts have significantly boosted revenue, enhanced guest satisfaction, and strengthened the hotel’s reputation among both business and leisure travellers.

Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, he served as associate director of sales at The Westin, Pune Koregaon Park. His career also includes sales roles at Marriott Suites Pune, JW Marriott Pune, and Spice Jet Airlines, giving him a diverse background in both hospitality and aviation.

His elevation highlights The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding leadership that contributes to its continued growth as a luxury brand in India.


Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Lakshmi Nandagopal as Director of Human Resources

Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Lakshmi Nandagopal as Director of Human Resources

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 29, 2025

Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the promotion of Lakshmi Nandagopal to the role of Director of Human Resources, marking a significant milestone in her two-decade-long career in people management and organisational excellence. In her new capacity, she will focus on strategic workforce planning, employee well-being, leadership development, and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture that empowers associates to excel.

Nandagopal joined Hyatt Regency Chennai in January 2023 as Human Resources Manager, and within a short span, she has made a remarkable impact. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, she has successfully driven initiatives in talent acquisition, workforce engagement, payroll management, and succession planning. Her proactive approach in fostering transparency, inclusivity, and professional growth has established her as a trusted leader within the organisation.

Her career reflects a strong passion for people development and aligning HR strategies with business goals. Prior to Hyatt, she held leadership positions with Radisson Blu City Centre, Holiday Inn OMR IT Expressway (IHG Group), The Ascott Limited – Somerset Greenways Chennai, and Marriott International. Across these roles, she has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performance teams, improving employee morale, and building robust HR practices that enhanced both satisfaction and success.

Nandagopal’s track record includes leading large-scale recruitment drives, introducing associate welfare programmes such as food festivals, sports events, and Celebrate Service Week, and creating communication forums that connected associates with leadership. She has also championed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, strengthening the hotel’s community ties. Her ability to manage two pre-opening hotels while delivering HR projects on schedule further highlights her organisational skills and dedication.

Commenting on her promotion, Ruban Das, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Chennai, said, “Lakshmi’s leadership is rooted in empathy, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to people. Her promotion is not only a recognition of her past achievements but also a reflection of the trust we place in her to lead our Human Resources function into an exciting future. We are confident that she will continue to inspire associates and contribute immensely to the hotel’s success.”

With this promotion, Hyatt Regency Chennai reinforces its commitment to fostering leadership from within and creating an empowering workplace culture for its associates.

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