ITC Narmada, a luxury collection hotel in Ahmedabad, has announced the appointment of Hemant Kumar Sharma as the property’s new Head of Finance. Sharma, a cost and management accountant with over 16 years of experience, has held leadership positions across India’s largest conglomerates in hospitality, manufacturing, and financial services.

In his new role at ITC Narmada, Sharma will lead the finance function, ensuring robust governance, efficient financial operations, and compliance with regulatory frameworks. He will also oversee financial planning and analysis, with a focus on enhancing value creation and supporting ITC Narmada’s long-term growth strategy in Ahmedabad’s competitive and diverse market.

Previously, Sharma served as Head of Finance at ITC Hotels Limited, managing internal audits, statutory audits, budgeting, forecasting, and monthly financial statements across multiple functions. He has also worked with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts (EIH Limited), where he managed financial planning, corporate reporting, internal controls, and strategic cost management at both property and group levels.

Commenting on his appointment, Sharma said, “I am delighted to join ITC Narmada at such an exciting stage in its journey. The property has set new benchmarks in luxury and sustainable hospitality in Ahmedabad and Gujarat, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success by strengthening financial stewardship, driving operational efficiencies, and supporting its growth vision.”

Sharma holds a CMA qualification from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), a Master of Commerce from IGNOU, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (Finance) from SCDL Pune. His expertise includes SAP implementation, IFRS integration, and the development of internal controls and standard operating procedures, making him well-equipped to guide ITC Narmada’s finance strategy in alignment with the brand’s premium hospitality standards.

RateGain Travel Technologies Limited (RateGain) has announced the appointment of Amarpreet Singh as its new Chief Customer Officer.

In this role, Singh will lead RateGain’s global customer organisation, working to enhance the client experience by leveraging AI-driven solutions to transform the customer journey, automate support, reduce churn, and create new growth opportunities. He will also focus on building a tech-augmented delivery model designed to ensure seamless implementation, faster onboarding, comprehensive global support, and continuous value realization across RateGain’s platforms.

Partnering closely with Sales, Product, and Engineering teams, Singh will spearhead initiatives to design smarter processes that deliver quicker results and long-term customer loyalty.

With over two decades of experience, Singh has previously held senior leadership roles at Cvent, WNS, and Gwynniebee, where he led global teams and championed technology-driven success. At Cvent, he managed worldwide support, services, and implementation, achieving significant gains in customer satisfaction (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Commenting on the appointment, Bhanu Chopra, Founder and Managing Director of RateGain, said, “Amarpreet brings deep operational expertise, a strategic mindset, and a passion for delivering value to customers at scale. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our customer organization and leverage AI to deliver more personalized, proactive, and impactful experiences for our partners worldwide.”

This appointment underscores RateGain’s commitment to customer-centric innovation and its focus on harnessing AI to build stronger, more resilient partnerships in the global travel and hospitality technology ecosystem.

Paras Desai, Executive Director of the Wagh Bakri Tea Group, has been elected as the new Chairman of FAITTA (Federation of All India Tea Traders’ Association), the national body representing tea traders across the country. FAITTA works with government authorities, tea boards, and allied associations to safeguard the interests of buyers and traders while addressing industry-wide challenges.

Alongside this development, Vidisha Desai, Director of Wagh Bakri Tea Group, has been inducted into the Executive Committee of FAITTA.

A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Mr. Desai has been associated with Wagh Bakri since 1993. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into one of India’s largest packaged tea businesses, with operations across 24 states and exports to more than 60 countries. He has been instrumental in modernising the group’s operations, setting up an NABL-accredited in-house testing laboratory, introducing instant tea premixes and wellness blends, and launching the Wagh Bakri Tea Lounges. He also serves as President of the Western India Tea Dealers Association.

Speaking about his election, Mr. Desai said, “It is truly an honour to lead FAITTA, and I sincerely thank all members for their trust and cooperation, as well as the past Chairmen and office bearers for their immense contributions. The tea industry today is undergoing significant transformation, shaped by evolving consumer tastes and pressing challenges such as climate change. My focus will be to work closely with industry members, government, and regulators to further strengthen the tea category. I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to address both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Mr. Desai holds a Diploma in Management Studies from Ohio State University and brings more than three decades of experience as a skilled tea taster. Beyond business, he actively supports initiatives in women’s empowerment, education, and rehabilitation.

About FAITTA
Established in 2014, FAITTA unites tea traders’ associations from across India to address issues ranging from auctions, wholesale and retail trade, and packaging, to warehousing and exports. It ensures compliance with FSSAI residue norms, promotes transparency in auction practices, and advocates for trader interests amid rising costs, evolving regulations, and changing consumer preferences.

About Wagh Bakri Tea Group
Founded in 1892, the Wagh Bakri Tea Group is one of India’s most trusted packaged tea brands. With an annual turnover of ₹2,000 crore and distribution exceeding 50 million kilograms, the group reaches millions of households across India and international markets. Known for quality and tradition, Wagh Bakri remains a symbol of trust in the Indian tea industry.