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.

ibis, one of Accor’s fastest-growing and most trusted economy hospitality brands, has announced the appointment of Sachin Maheshwary as Cluster General Manager for ibis Mumbai. The move strengthens the brand’s leadership presence in one of its most dynamic and high-demand markets in India.

With more than two decades of experience across luxury, upscale, and economy segments, Sachin brings strong operational knowledge along with a people-first leadership approach. His journey in hospitality includes hotel pre-openings, large renovation projects, food and beverage innovation, and driving performance across varied market conditions. In his new role, he will lead the ibis portfolio in Mumbai, with a clear focus on improving daily operations, enhancing guest experiences, and building steady, long-term growth in the city.

Commenting on the appointment, Tejus Jose, Director of Operations, ibis and ibis Styles India, said, “Sachin is a leader who understands hotels from the inside out. He has a strong feel for operations, a genuine connection with people, and a sharp sense of how brands need to evolve to stay relevant. Mumbai is a very demanding market, and ibis has a significant opportunity here. We believe Sachin’s experience, energy, and collaborative leadership style will help our hotels raise the bar on performance, guest satisfaction, and consistency across the portfolio.”

Sachin has earlier held senior leadership roles with Accor and IHCL, where he led several hotel pre-openings, managed renovation projects, and developed award-winning food and beverage concepts. Most recently, he was the General Manager of Novotel Goa Resort and Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim. Alongside this, he also served as F&B Alchemist for Accor India and South Asia, working closely with teams across markets to encourage culinary innovation, strengthen brand storytelling, and create engaging dining experiences.

Speaking about his new role, Sachin Maheshwary, Cluster General Manager, ibis Mumbai, said, “Mumbai is a city that never slows down, and that energy reflects in the expectations of our guests. I am excited to take on this responsibility with ibis in a market that is both challenging and full of opportunity. ibis has built a strong reputation for offering smart, dependable hospitality at great value, and I look forward to working with the teams on the ground to make our hotels even more relevant to today’s travellers. My focus will be on building strong teams, sharpening operational excellence, and creating guest experiences that feel warm, efficient, and genuinely welcoming.”

This appointment highlights ibis’ continued focus on strengthening leadership to support its growth plans across India’s key urban markets. By reinforcing its leadership team in Mumbai, the brand aims to deepen guest engagement, build high-performing teams, and strengthen its position as a preferred choice for modern, value-driven hospitality in the city.

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.