Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences has announced the appointment of Mr. Mohammad Yusuf Yamin as the new Director of Human Resources. With more than 15 years of experience across leading hospitality brands in India and Nepal, he brings strong expertise in people management, team culture, colleague engagement and industrial relations.

Mr. Yamin joins the Pune hotel after serving as Director of Human Resources at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu for over two years. In Nepal, he played a key role in shaping HR strategy, strengthening colleague engagement and driving organisational development practices.

Before his Hyatt Kathmandu tenure, he spent close to a decade with IHCL, working across important locations such as Srinagar, Lucknow and Corbett National Park. His work there focused on improving HR systems, building team performance, creating a healthy workplace culture and handling complex people-related matters with a balanced and transparent approach.

Known for his hands-on style and calm leadership, Mr. Yamin brings a people-first outlook that aligns well with Hyatt’s service values.

In his new role at Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences, he will oversee talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, performance management and colleague well-being, strengthening the hotel’s commitment to creating a supportive and growth-focused environment for its teams.

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s fastest-growing hotel chains, has strengthened its leadership team with three strategic appointments across key functions. The new leaders bring a blend of global experience, specialised skills and strong industry exposure as the brand continues to expand its footprint across the country.

Chef Rahul Rana Joins as Director – Culinary

With over 22 years of international experience, Chef Rahul Rana takes charge of Cygnett’s culinary direction. A hospitality professional with an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Studies from Switzerland, he has worked with global brands such as Accor, Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental and Sarova Hotels.

His journey spans the UK, Caribbean, Maldives, Indonesia, Kenya and India. Chef Rana has also launched several speciality restaurants, including modern Pan-Asian concepts, Peruvian cuisine and Kenyan-native dining. Known for his modern techniques and large-scale buffet presentations, he is expected to bring a fresh culinary identity to the brand.

Sanjit Kumar Thakur Appointed as Corporate Learning & Development Manager

A seasoned L&D professional, Sanjit Kumar Thakur brings nearly 15 years of hospitality experience. An IHM Kolkata graduate with an MBA in HR, he has previously worked with reputed hotel groups including Taj, Oberoi, Radisson, Sarovar and Accor.

Thakur already oversees the L&D function at Cygnett and is focused on people development, capability building and strengthening talent pipelines across the organisation.

Ravvinder Bhola Joins as General Manager – Information Technology

With more than two decades in hospitality technology, Ravvinder Bhola steps in as the GM – IT. He has served with leading hotel brands such as Starwood, Taj and Marriott across India and global markets.

His strengths include system deployments, digital transformation, cybersecurity, risk management and governance—key areas for modern hotel operations. Bhola is expected to lead Cygnett’s technology roadmap as the brand scales its operations.

Speaking on the appointments, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director of Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said, "As a key hospitality chain, we are committed to strengthening our leadership team with experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise. As we continue to grow our footprints across the country, their combination of skills, passion and commitment will help us maintain our service standards and drive our expansion plans."

With these additions, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts continues to build a strong leadership foundation, reinforcing its vision for growth, innovation and guest-centric excellence.

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar has announced the appointment of Laxmi Singh as the new Front Office Manager, strengthening the resort’s leadership team ahead of a busy travel season.

With over eight years in hospitality across well-known hotel brands, Singh brings strong experience in guest relations, front office operations and team development. She has worked with leading names including Accor Residences in Qatar, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, Taj Hotels & Resorts and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Her global exposure also includes handling operations during the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Rahul Janve, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar, shared, “We are delighted to welcome Laxmi Singh as our Front Office Manager. Her deep understanding of guest expectations, operational strength and proven performance within the Marriott portfolio make her a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are confident her expertise will further enhance our service excellence and elevate the overall guest experience at our resort.”

Before taking up this role, Singh served as Guest Relations & Loyalty Manager at the same property, where she played a key role in improving loyalty member engagement and guest satisfaction scores. She later moved to Courtyard by Marriott Pune as Assistant Front Office Manager, contributing to improved processes and helping the hotel reach top TripAdvisor rankings.

In her new position, Singh will now lead daily front office operations, strengthen guest service strategies, enhance team performance and maintain high service standards for the resort.

Sharing her excitement, Laxmi Singh said, “Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar holds a special place in my career journey, and I am honoured to take on this leadership role. I look forward to building on our legacy of warm hospitality and enriching the overall guest experience.”

Her strong operational approach, leadership skills and hands-on experience across Indian and international markets make her a solid addition to Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar’s core team.