Holiday Inn Express SAMHI portfolio has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gaurav Pandey as Portfolio Director – Learning & Quality and Tahir Siddiqui as Portfolio F&B Manager. The move reflects the brand’s continued focus on building strong operational capabilities and delivering consistent, guest-first hospitality across its growing footprint in India.

Gaurav brings over 23 years of experience spanning hotel operations, learning and development, academic leadership and pre-opening strategy. He has worked with institutions and brands such as the Indian School of Hospitality, Conrad Bengaluru, Jaypee Greens and Sarovar Hotels. In his new role, he will drive learning initiatives, quality frameworks and brand-standard alignment, ensuring teams are well-equipped to deliver the efficient and welcoming service that defines Holiday Inn Express. Sharing his thoughts, Gaurav said he looks forward to enhancing learning systems and maintaining clarity and consistency as the portfolio expands.

Tahir Siddiqui joins as Portfolio F&B Manager with more than 13 years of experience in food and beverage operations. Having held operational roles with Crowne Plaza, Hyatt and Rainbow Hospital, he brings expertise in high-volume service environments, cost optimisation and team development. At Holiday Inn Express, he will focus on strengthening consistency and elevating dining experiences across all properties. Tahir noted that his priority will be to enhance operational delivery while fostering a service culture rooted in warmth and efficiency.

These appointments align with IHG’s “Room to Belong” ethos and reinforce Holiday Inn Express’ promise of smart, simple and comfortable stays for today’s travellers.

Novotel Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Mr. Satyam Varma as Director of Revenue, further strengthening its focus on structured commercial planning and long-term revenue growth. The move highlights the hotel’s continued effort to build a disciplined and data-driven approach to business performance.

Mr. Varma brings over six years of experience in revenue management, analytics, and commercial strategy. Over the years, he has worked with well-known organisations such as Marriott International, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL – Taj Group), and ZS Associates, gaining strong exposure across hospitality and consulting environments.

He is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad, affiliated with the University of Huddersfield, UK, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Hotel Management. He is also a Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) from HSMAI. His career reflects a balanced mix of operational understanding and revenue expertise, supported by strong analytical skills and market insight.

Throughout his professional journey, Mr. Varma has handled revenue strategy across individual properties, cluster portfolios, and multi-market operations. His experience includes supporting the launch and stabilization of a new hotel, leading revenue and reservations teams, and driving consistent top line growth through focused pricing, forecasting, and inventory planning.

At Novotel Ahmedabad, he will lead the next phase of the hotel’s revenue planning with an emphasis on demand-based pricing, sharper segmentation, and a well-balanced business mix. His role will also involve improving distribution efficiency, enhancing forecasting accuracy, maintaining budget discipline, and using market intelligence to strengthen the hotel’s competitive position. Working closely with the Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams, he will ensure revenue strategies are aligned with changing market conditions and implemented effectively across all channels.

This appointment underlines Novotel Ahmedabad’s commitment to focused leadership and sustainable financial performance as it continues to strengthen its presence in the upscale hospitality segment.

 ITC Grand Chola has announced the elevation of Chef Nikhil Nagpal as its new Executive Chef. The luxury property, known as one of India’s largest hotels with more than 11 food and beverage brands and iconic banquet venues, has chosen a leader who has been part of its journey from the very beginning.

Chef Nikhil was a member of the hotel’s opening team and has grown within the ITC Hotels ecosystem over the years. A homegrown talent, he began his journey at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal, and later completed his professional training at the Welcomgroup Management Institute, the group’s in-house management training division. His career reflects ITC Hotels’ strong culture of developing talent and building leaders from within.

Since the inception of ITC Grand Chola, Chef Nikhil has been closely involved in shaping its wide-ranging culinary experiences. From managing large-format banquets to contributing to award-winning signature restaurants, he has supported several concepts and innovations that have defined the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. His creative direction has also played a major role in the growth of Avartana, ITC Hotels celebrated progressive Southern Indian restaurant known for its balance of authenticity, artistry, and modern technique.

As Executive Chef, he will continue to lead Avartana’s culinary direction while taking charge of all restaurant and banqueting operations at the hotel. His focus will remain on elevating guest experiences through thoughtful innovation, precision, and sustainable practices in line with ITC Hotels’ vision of responsible luxury.

Commenting on the elevation, Mr. Shaariq Akhtar, General Manager, ITC Grand Chola, said: “Chef Nikhil’s journey at ITC Grand Chola is a true example of leadership built from the ground up. Having been part of the opening team, he brings unmatched depth, creativity, and balance to this role. As the brand custodian of Avartana and a trusted leader in our culinary operations, he is ideally placed to guide our teams and take our food and beverage ambitions to the next level. We have exciting new F&B concepts on the horizon and we look forward to his continued contributions in this new chapter.”

On his new appointment, Chef Nikhil Nagpal said: “Being part of ITC Grand Chola since day one has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The hotel represents scale, diversity, and excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented teams to further strengthen our culinary offerings, while continuing to build on the legacy and innovation that Avartana stands for.”

With one of India’s largest luxury banqueting facilities and a strong portfolio of acclaimed dining destinations, ITC Grand Chola continues to raise the bar in the hospitality space. Chef Nikhil Nagpal’s elevation further highlights the brand’s long-standing commitment to nurturing internal talent and strengthening its culinary leadership for the future.