Leela Palace Jaipur Bolsters Leadership Team with Strategic New Appointments

Leela Palace Jaipur Bolsters Leadership Team with Strategic New Appointments

By Author

Published on June 10, 2024

The Leela Palace Jaipur has recently enriched its leadership roster by welcoming four distinguished professionals to its management team, underscoring its ongoing dedication to service excellence in the luxury hospitality sector.

Swati Thakur steps into the role of Hotel Manager, equipped with extensive experience from prestigious hotels such as Taj The Trees in Kolkata, Taj Lands End, and The Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai. Her background in hospitality management, supported by an MBA from Amity University, Mumbai, prepares her to set new service standards at The Leela Palace Jaipur.

Prakhar Dhyani, the new Director of Sales, brings over 15 years of rich experience in hospitality sales. His career, which includes pivotal roles at Reethi Faru Resort in the Maldives, The Leela Palace Udaipur, and Conrad Bengaluru, has honed his skills in client development and retention, vital for driving the hotel's sales efforts.

image

Arjun Deoskar has been appointed as the Food and Beverage Manager. With 16 years in the industry, Arjun is recognized for his innovative and dedicated approach to F&B management, promising to elevate the dining experiences at The Leela Palace Jaipur to new heights.

Md Irshad Aman joins as Hygiene Manager, bringing a decade of specialised experience in audit and compliance, particularly in food safety and hygiene management. His appointment is set to reinforce the hotel’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.

Sharad Puri, Senior Vice President and General Manager at The Leela Palace Jaipur, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointments, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Ms. Swati Thakur, Mr. Prakhar Dhyani, Mr. Arjun Deoskar, and Mr. Md Irshad Aman to our family. Their expertise and commitment to excellence are perfectly aligned with our mission to provide outstanding hospitality experiences. We are confident that their contributions will be instrumental in further enhancing our services and setting new benchmarks for luxury hospitality in Jaipur."

image

These strategic appointments at The Leela Palace Jaipur are not just about filling positions but are a testament to the hotel's resolve to invest in leadership that can inspire and maintain the high standards that the brand is known for worldwide.

As The Leela Palace Jaipur continues to thrive as a beacon of luxury in the region, the integration of these seasoned professionals is anticipated to foster growth, innovation, and sustained excellence in serving the needs of their esteemed guests.

For further details on The Leela Palace Jaipur and its offerings, please visit their official website.


Mercedes-Benz India Announces Key Leadership Changes Across Sales & Marketing

Mercedes-Benz India Announces Key Leadership Changes Across Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on July 15, 2026

Mercedes-Benz India has announced a series of strategic leadership changes within its Sales & Marketing function, reinforcing the company's focus on enhancing customer experiences through real-time data, artificial intelligence, and integrated retail finance solutions. The organizational changes will come into effect from September 1, 2026.

As part of the new appointments, Nandita Godbole, currently General Manager – Digital Customer Unit, has been appointed Head of Marketing, succeeding Amrit Baid. Amrit Baid will take over as General Manager – Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars, while Jamsheed Bhadha, currently General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning, will transition to a new role within Mercedes-Benz in Dubai. Sanjay Kochar, presently General Manager – TEV & BEV Sales, will succeed Bhadha as General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning.

Commenting on the organizational changes, Brendon Sissing, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "Our people remain the driving force behind Mercedes-Benz's customer centricity and sustained success. These organizational changes reinforce our commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences using real-time data strategies, AI deployment, and integrated business capabilities, while building future-ready leaders by offering broader cross-functional exposure to our talents."

Nandita Godbole has held several leadership positions across Marketing, Retail Sales, and the Digital Customer Unit at Mercedes-Benz India. In her new role, she will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence, real-time data, and predictive insights to create more personalized and seamless customer experiences across every stage of the ownership journey.

Amrit Baid, who has successfully led Marketing and Customer Experience initiatives, including campaigns such as Dreams Day, Wish Box, and G-Tribe, will now lead the Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars business. Mercedes-Benz India said the appointment aligns with its strategy of integrating retail finance more closely into the customer journey. The company's retail finance portfolio has grown to over ₹15,000 crore and currently supports more than 50 percent of the vehicles retailed through financing programmes such as Star Agility.

The leadership changes reflect Mercedes-Benz India's continued emphasis on nurturing internal talent, strengthening cross-functional leadership, and accelerating innovation-led growth while delivering a more connected and customer-centric luxury automotive experience


Fairfield by Marriott Agra Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Appointments

Fairfield by Marriott Agra Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on July 15, 2026

Fairfield by Marriott Agra has announced the appointment of Chef Ashwani Nigam as Executive Chef and Mr. Bipin Prajapati as Assistant Financial Controller, strengthening its leadership team with experienced professionals across culinary and financial operations.

The appointments mark another step in the hotel’s ongoing commitment towards delivering exceptional hospitality experiences, operational excellence, and continued growth.

As Executive Chef, Chef Ashwani Nigam will lead the culinary operations at Fairfield by Marriott Agra, overseeing menu development, kitchen operations, food quality standards, and innovative dining experiences. With his extensive industry expertise, he is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strengthen the hotel’s culinary offerings while maintaining Marriott’s commitment to quality and consistency.

image

Mr. Bipin Prajapati joins Fairfield by Marriott Agra as Assistant Financial Controller, where he will be responsible for supporting financial operations, reporting, budgeting, and strategic financial planning. His expertise will contribute towards strengthening the hotel’s financial performance and operational efficiency.

Both appointments reflect Fairfield by Marriott Agra’s focus on building a strong leadership team that supports its vision of providing seamless guest experiences and maintaining high service standards.

With experienced professionals joining key positions, Fairfield by Marriott Agra continues to enhance its operational capabilities while creating memorable experiences for guests visiting the historic city of Agra.


Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh Appoints Ajit Singh Gandhi as General Manager

Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh Appoints Ajit Singh Gandhi as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 15, 2026

Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh has announced the appointment of Ajit Singh Gandhi as its General Manager, effective July 1, 2026. In his new role, he will oversee the hotel's operations, commercial strategy, colleague culture, and guest experience while driving its continued growth as a leading lifestyle destination in Chandigarh.

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ajit brings extensive expertise in hotel operations, commercial leadership, and talent development. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with prominent hospitality brands including The Oberoi Group, Taj Hotels, Marriott, and The Lalit, gaining experience across luxury, leisure, corporate, and MICE segments.

Before joining Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh, Ajit served as General Manager at Hyatt Centric Dehradun, where he led the hotel with a strong focus on operational excellence, colleague engagement, and guest satisfaction. His contributions have been recognised with the Iconic General Manager of the Year 2025 award by Times Hospitality Icons, along with the Top 20 General Managers – People's Choice Awards in both 2024 and 2025.

At Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh, Ajit will focus on enhancing the hotel's lifestyle positioning by delivering elevated guest experiences, introducing innovative food and beverage offerings, and strengthening the property's connection with Chandigarh's culture and social scene. He will also oversee the continued growth of the hotel's dining and nightlife venues, including KOYO KOYO, the contemporary Asian restaurant, and PVT LTD, the hotel's intimate speakeasy known for its innovative cocktails and immersive experiences.

Commenting on his appointment, Ajit Singh Gandhi said, "I am delighted to join Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh, a hotel that reflects the energy, creativity and character of the city itself. I look forward to working alongside an incredibly passionate team to build on the hotel's strong foundation, create memorable experiences for our guests, and further strengthen its position as a destination of choice for both travelers and local patrons."

Ajit's appointment marks an important step in the hotel's continued evolution as it expands its lifestyle offerings for both travellers and residents of Chandigarh. Backed by his people-first leadership approach and operational expertise, Hyatt Centric Sector 17 Chandigarh aims to continue delivering fresh, memorable, and locally inspired experiences.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.