Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Tara Gurung as Vice President – Human Resources, reinforcing its focus on building a strong, people-first organisation as it continues to expand its presence across the Eastern Himalayan region.

Tara Gurung brings with her extensive experience across leading hospitality brands, with a career shaped by a deep understanding of human capital, organisational culture, and leadership development. She has previously worked with global hotel groups such as Marriott International and Radisson Blu, where she led human resources and learning and development functions across multiple properties and clusters.

Her professional journey reflects a consistent focus on nurturing talent, building high-performing teams, and creating structured learning environments that support both individual growth and organisational success. With strong expertise in training, employee engagement, and team development, she brings a balanced perspective that combines operational insight with long-term people strategy.

In her new role, Tara will oversee the human resources function across Summit’s growing portfolio, with a focus on strengthening organisational culture, building leadership pipelines, and aligning people practices with the brand’s broader growth ambitions. Her leadership is expected to play a key role in supporting the company’s expansion while ensuring a strong and cohesive workplace culture.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka said, “We are extremely proud to welcome Tara back to her home region. At Summit, we strongly believe in building a homegrown organisation, and it is a matter of pride for us when talented professionals choose to return and contribute to the growth of this region. As we expand our footprint across the Himalayan belt, our focus is not just on building hotels, but on creating meaningful employment opportunities and strong career paths closer to home. I would like to encourage hospitality professionals from the Himalayan region, who may be working away from their families, to explore opportunities back here. The region today offers immense growth potential, and together we can build a vibrant, sustainable hospitality ecosystem.”

Tara Gurung’s appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is steadily expanding across key destinations, with a continued focus on operational consistency and long-term brand building. Her addition to the leadership team reflects the company’s commitment to evolving its organisational culture alongside its growth journey.

Kochi Marriott Hotel has announced the elevation of Shyam Nair as Multi-Property Human Resources Director, overseeing HR functions across three key properties, Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

With a career spanning over three decades, Shyam brings a unique blend of experience to the role. He served for 20 years in the Indian Air Force before transitioning into hospitality, where he has spent the last 16 years building expertise in leadership, operations, and people management. Armed with an MBA in HR and Operations, his professional journey reflects a strong foundation in both discipline and strategic thinking.

During his tenure with the Marriott portfolio in Kochi, Shyam has held the position of Multi-Property Director of Loss Prevention, where he played a key role in ensuring operational safety and efficiency. His transition into human resources has been marked by a focus on strengthening recruitment processes, enhancing training frameworks, and streamlining administrative and HR functions across properties.

Beyond core HR responsibilities, Shyam has also been actively involved in driving sustainability initiatives. He has led several green practices, including waste reduction programmes and community engagement efforts aimed at promoting environmental awareness. These initiatives not only align with global brand priorities but also reinforce the properties’ commitment to responsible hospitality.

In his new role, Shyam will lead strategic HR functions including recruitment, compensation management, training and development, employee engagement, and retention. His leadership is expected to further strengthen workplace culture while supporting the continued growth and performance of the Marriott portfolio in Kochi.

This appointment reflects a continued emphasis on strong internal leadership and the importance of people-focused strategies in driving long-term success within the hospitality sector.

Sayaji Hotels Ltd has announced the appointment of Anubhav Lal as Director of Marketing (Corporate), marking a strategic addition to its leadership team as the group continues to expand its footprint and brand presence.

Bringing over 18 years of diverse experience, Anubhav’s career spans hospitality, luxury automotive, high-end art auctions, and digital-led businesses. This cross-industry exposure positions him to bring a well-rounded perspective to brand building and integrated marketing within the organisation.

In his new role, Anubhav will lead the marketing function at a corporate level, focusing on driving brand strategy, strengthening positioning across the company’s portfolio, and overseeing integrated communications across multiple markets. He is also expected to play a key role in shaping the narrative for Sayaji’s next phase of growth, particularly as the brand continues to build experience-led hospitality offerings.

Prior to joining Sayaji Hotels, Anubhav served as Marketing Manager at Porsche Centre Mumbai, where he led marketing and CRM initiatives, driving both on-ground and digital campaigns. Before that, he was associated with AstaGuru Auction House Pvt. Ltd., contributing to brand and digital transformation efforts.

His hospitality experience includes a significant tenure with Hilton, where he worked as Cluster Director of Marketing & Communications, spearheading multi-property campaigns and pre-opening strategies. During his time at Hilton Mumbai International Airport, he led integrated marketing initiatives and built strategic partnerships to strengthen the brand’s presence.

Earlier in his career, Anubhav worked with Cleartrip Private Limited as Assistant Manager – Revenue and Marketing, where he drove marketing strategy and performance for the hotel division. He began his journey in the hospitality industry with Grand Hyatt Mumbai, laying a strong foundation in sales and marketing.

Outside of his professional role, Anubhav is known to be a sports and automobile enthusiast, having played paddleball, football, and hockey at competitive levels. He also enjoys computer gaming and philately.

With this appointment, Sayaji Hotels continues to strengthen its leadership bench, aligning talent with its evolving growth strategy and brand ambitions.