MRG Group has appointed Sujata Gowda as Group General Manager – Marketing & Communications, strengthening its leadership team as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

With over 19 years of experience across airlines, hospitality, real estate, and media, Sujata brings a well-rounded understanding of brand building and strategic communication. Over the years, she has worked with leading names such as Sahara Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, Taj Hotels, IHG, and Marriott International.

Her career has included key roles in pre-opening hotel projects across cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad, before moving to Bengaluru. Beyond hospitality, she has also built experience in media and partnerships, most recently serving as Regional Head – Brand & Partnership at Times Internet Limited, where she worked on strategic collaborations linked to a major card launch with ICICI Bank.

Sujata’s expertise spans multiple areas including sales, marketing, operations, brand strategy, media planning, corporate communications, and team management. Her strong relationships across print, electronic, and digital media are expected to support the group’s efforts to expand its brand presence and reach.

Sharing her thoughts on the new role, Sujata Gowda said, “A new fresh start is always nerve-recking and exciting at the same time. Marketing & communication in today's day and age is a pivotal role. I couldn't have joined MRG Group at a better time as this is going to be the year of expansion, dynamic changes and accelerated growth. Extremely excited to collate my 19 years of expertise with fostering collaborations with existing teams as the best time for new beginning is NOW.”

With this appointment, MRG Group continues to invest in experienced leadership as it looks to scale operations and strengthen its market positioning.

Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has appointed Ashish Singh as Director of Sales, strengthening its leadership team as it continues to expand its presence in Bengaluru’s competitive hospitality market.

With over 13 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development, Singh brings a strong track record of driving revenue growth, identifying new business opportunities, and building long-term client relationships across corporate and MICE segments.

He joins from The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore, where he served as Director of Catering and played a key role in managing high-impact events while improving catering performance. His journey with the brand also included roles such as Assistant Director of Sales and Senior Sales Manager, reflecting his steady growth and deep understanding of market trends.

Singh’s experience also includes working with leading hospitality brands like Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru and The Park Hotels, giving him a well-rounded perspective on sales leadership in urban markets.

In his new role, he will lead the property’s sales strategy with a focus on driving growth, strengthening corporate relationships, and expanding market share. His responsibilities will include building strategic partnerships, improving revenue streams, and positioning the hotel as a preferred choice for business travel and large-scale events.

With this appointment, Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park continues to invest in experienced talent, further strengthening its position in Bengaluru’s growing hospitality landscape

Amrut Distilleries has elevated Ashok Chokalingam to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Master Distiller. This move reflects the company’s focus on aligning its global strategy with technical expertise as it continues to grow its presence in the premium whisky segment.

The role has been introduced to bring together international marketing and distillation under one leadership, recognising Chokalingam’s ability to bridge both areas. His journey with Amrut has played a key role in taking Indian single malt whisky to global audiences while shaping the brand’s craft and innovation.

Over the years, he has been closely involved in global tastings, masterclasses, and industry interactions, building a deep understanding of consumer preferences across markets. These insights have directly influenced experimentation at the distillery, from cask selection and maturation techniques to blending styles and flavour profiles.

His approach connects feedback from international markets back into production, ensuring that every innovation remains relevant and purposeful. This has helped Amrut maintain a balance between traditional craftsmanship and evolving global tastes.

This leadership change marks a new phase for the company, with a sharper focus on integrating operations and brand direction. It is expected to drive innovation in distillation and blending, while strengthening the global positioning of Indian single malts.

Commenting on the appointment, Rakshit N Jagdale said, “Ashok’s elevation is deeply personal and immensely satisfying for me. He embodies the very best of home-grown talent, evolving with the company, challenging conventions and raising the bar for Indian single malt. Beyond technical brilliance, his global mandate makes this appointment special. He has taken India’s whisky story to the world, absorbed international insights and applied them to strengthen our craft at home. He speaks both the language of our house style and the consumer. Formalizing this role gives me immense pride and joy as we continue building a proudly Indian, globally respected house of excellence.”

Sharing his thoughts, Chokalingam said, “I am deeply grateful to our Chairman & Managing Director, Neelkanth Rao Jagdale, for his trust and belief in me. Amrut has never been a conventional company, and my journey here has been equally unconventional — from sales and international markets to the still house and maturation warehouses. That freedom to experiment, question norms, and bridge the gap between the market and production has shaped me both as a professional and as a craftsman. Amrut gave me the platform to learn globally and create locally. I accept this responsibility with humility and determination, committed to honoring our legacy while continuing to push the boundaries of Indian single malt.”

Chokalingam began his journey with Amrut in 2004 and has since held key roles across international sales, marketing, and distillation. He later took charge of distilling operations, overseeing the creation of several well-known expressions and strengthening the brand’s premium portfolio.

He has also received multiple global recognitions, including ‘Whisky Ambassador of the Year’ and ‘Master Distiller / Blender of the Year’ by Whisky Magazine.

With this elevation, Amrut Distilleries aims to further strengthen its position as a leading name in Indian single malt whisky, combining craft excellence with a clear global vision.