Thomas B Meier Named CEO of Jumeirah

Jumeirah Appoints Thomas B Meier as CEO to Drive Global Expansion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 14, 2025

Jumeirah, the luxury hospitality giant under Dubai Holding, has announced the appointment of Thomas B Meier as its new Chief Executive Officer. Known for his exceptional leadership in the industry, Meier will spearhead Jumeirah’s ambitious Mission 2030, aiming to double the brand’s portfolio and elevate its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality.

Since joining Jumeirah as Chief Operating Officer in October 2021, Meier has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth. His tenure has seen remarkable achievements, including the launch of properties in Africa like Jumeirah Thanda Island and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in Tanzania and South Africa. He also oversaw the strengthening of Jumeirah’s leadership team and strategic expansion efforts.

Under his leadership, the brand’s global footprint has continued to grow, with the recent unveiling of iconic properties such as Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the UAE, Jumeirah Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland. Jumeirah now operates 30 luxury properties across multiple continents, with plans to expand further into key cities and resort destinations.

In his new role, Meier is set to redefine industry standards and focus on innovative guest experiences that emphasize culture and connection. Commenting on his appointment, Meier said:

“Jumeirah has always set new benchmarks in luxury hospitality, consistently delivering extraordinary guest experiences. As we gear up for the opening of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and continue to expand into new markets, I am honoured to lead Jumeirah’s next chapter.

“With bold ambitions, Jumeirah will continue to innovate, staying ahead of industry trends and exceeding the ever-evolving expectations of the most discerning guests. Our vision is to establish Jumeirah as one of the foremost influential hospitality brands worldwide.”

Jumeirah’s Mission 2030 reflects its unwavering commitment to innovation and luxury, positioning the brand as a beacon of excellence in the global hospitality landscape. With Meier at the helm, the company is poised to achieve unprecedented growth and set new standards in the industry.

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef, further strengthening its culinary leadership in Bengaluru.

With over 17 years of experience, Chef Balachandar brings a strong foundation built across global kitchens and fine-dining environments. Known for his intuitive understanding of flavours and operational expertise, he has consistently delivered dining experiences that balance creativity with precision.

Over the years, he has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Conrad Bengaluru, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, The Leela Palace Chennai, and InterContinental Dubai Festival City. His journey reflects both versatility in cuisine and the ability to lead high-performing kitchen teams.

Commenting on the appointment, Gaurav Sinha highlighted that Chef Balachandar brings a deep understanding of both the art and discipline of the kitchen. He noted that the chef’s ability to blend global influences with strong technique will further enhance the hotel’s culinary offerings.

Sharing his perspective, Chef Balachandar said that kitchens thrive on energy, collaboration, and constant evolution. He expressed his intent to build vibrant, ingredient-driven menus while creating dining experiences that guests can connect with.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across the hotel, working closely with teams to shape menus, refine techniques, and elevate offerings across restaurants and banquet spaces.

Part of Marriott International, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru continues to position itself as a leading luxury destination, offering diverse dining experiences alongside premium hospitality for both business and leisure travellers.

Summit Hotels Appoints Shova Lama as PRO for Sikkim Operations

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has appointed Shova Lama as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Sikkim, reinforcing its focus on strengthening regional engagement across the Northeast.

In her new role, Shova Lama will lead efforts to build stronger relationships with government departments and public institutions in the state. Her responsibilities include facilitating room bookings for official travel, coordinating hospitality arrangements for government-led events and conferences, and driving institutional business opportunities for the group.

Beyond government engagement, she will also work closely with local communities and organisations to position Summit’s properties as preferred venues for weddings, social gatherings, and private celebrations. This approach aligns with the brand’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in the regional events and social hospitality segment.

A key part of her role will involve supporting compliance and operational processes, including government registrations and empanelment requirements. Additionally, she will contribute to the company’s expansion plans by liaising with stakeholders across neighbouring states, identifying potential properties that can be integrated into the Summit portfolio through a lease model.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka highlighted the importance of the Northeast in the brand’s growth journey. He noted that Sikkim remains one of the company’s strongest operating regions and emphasised that strengthening ties with government bodies, local communities, and regional stakeholders is essential as the network continues to expand.

The appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is actively growing its footprint across the Himalayan and Northeast regions, focusing on destinations where tourism demand, institutional travel, and social events are witnessing steady growth.

With this move, the company aims to build stronger local connections while supporting its long-term expansion strategy across one of India’s most promising hospitality markets.

Lenexis Foodworks Appoints Arvind R P as Chief Executive Officer

By Hariharan U

Published on April 7, 2026

Lenexis Foodworks has announced the appointment of Arvind R P as its Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the company’s next phase of growth.

A leading player in India’s Desi Chinese QSR segment, Lenexis Foodworks operates a portfolio of brands including Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co., with over 260 outlets across the country.

Arvind brings more than 25 years of cross-sector leadership experience spanning QSR, FMCG, beauty, fashion, and automotive sectors. Known for his strong P&L leadership and expertise in brand transformation, he has consistently driven digital-led growth and built high-performance teams.

Prior to joining Lenexis Foodworks, he served as Chief Business Officer (South) at McDonald's India, where he played a key role in accelerating business growth and strengthening brand strategy.

In his new role, Arvind will lead Lenexis Foodworks’ expansion strategy, focusing on scaling its portfolio brands, enhancing operational efficiency, and building a future-ready organisation. The company is currently targeting an ambitious milestone of 500 stores by 2028, while strengthening its leadership across Desi Chinese cuisine, bowl-format dining, and the rapidly growing momo category.

Commenting on the appointment, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal said, “We are delighted to welcome Arvind to Lenexis Foodworks at a pivotal stage in our journey. As we scale our brands and strengthen our presence across India, his deep experience in building consumer businesses, driving P&L growth, and creating digital-first organisations will be invaluable.”

Sharing his thoughts, Arvind R P said, “Lenexis Foodworks has built a strong foundation with a portfolio of distinctive brands and embodies the ambition of a new-age Indian food services platform. I am excited to join the team at this pivotal stage and help accelerate growth.”

With this leadership move, Lenexis Foodworks reinforces its vision of building one of India’s most distinctive and scalable QSR platforms, driven by innovation, operational excellence, and consumer-centric offerings

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Jumeirah Appoints Thomas B Meier as CEO to Drive Global Expansion

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JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Chef Balachandar K as Executive Sous Chef

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Summit Hotels Appoints Shova Lama as PRO for Sikkim Operations

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Lenexis Foodworks Appoints Arvind R P as Chief Executive Officer

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