Leisure Hotels Group Strengthens Corporate Team with Key Appointments

Leisure Hotels Group Strengthens Corporate Team with Key Appointments

By Author

Published on July 27, 2023

Leisure Hotels Group has made significant additions to its corporate team with two key appointments. 

Arun Paliwal has been appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), bringing over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry with a background in leading HR functions at prominent brands like Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Lemon Tree Hotels, and IHG. Kumud Joshi takes charge of the Learning & Development team, with a diverse career spanning over 15 years at esteemed hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency, The Leela Hotels & Resorts, and Marriott International.

Arun Paliwal's expertise lies in effective talent management and nurturing a diverse pool of talent, including employees with special abilities. He holds an MBA degree from ICFAI National College, Udaipur.

Kumud Joshi's responsibilities include developing and executing strategies for tracking and assessing employee learning curves and implementing custom training programs. He has a strong education background, with an MBA from IGNOU and a Hotel Management degree from IHM Lucknow.

The Director of Leisure Hotels Group, Vibhas Prasad, expressed delight in welcoming Arun and Kumud to the team. With over 1,000 associates currently, the company is committed to fostering gender diversity in their hiring practices. The group anticipates a 30% increase in hirings by 2024 due to a robust product pipeline and aims to build a talented pool of professionals.


From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy FMCG and nutrition companies, has announced the elevation of Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar, its rapidly growing sports and active nutrition brand. This strategic move underlines Parag’s strong belief in grooming internal talent and fostering leaders who exemplify its core values of performance, purpose, and passion.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nitin joined Parag Milk Foods with a robust foundation in financial strategy and operations. Over time, he displayed remarkable agility, moving beyond the world of numbers to take on roles in marketing and brand building. His leadership has been instrumental in crafting impactful campaigns and positioning Avvatar as a credible, homegrown challenger to global protein brands—cementing consumer trust and driving the brand’s expansion in India’s health and wellness market.

Speaking on his new role, Nitin Kanodia shared,

“It has been an incredible journey — from decoding balance sheets to now decoding the minds of modern consumers. Avvatar is not just a product; it’s a mission to bridge India’s protein gap with clean, effective, and trusted nutrition. I look forward to scaling this brand to new heights, building stronger consumer trust, and innovating across formats.”

Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods Ltd., echoed these sentiments, saying,

“At Parag, we believe that when individuals grow, the organisation grows with them. Our culture is built on recognising performance, empowering potential, and giving people the freedom to evolve across functions and roles. Nitin’s progression from finance to marketing to now leading a high-growth brand like Avvatar is a reflection of this belief. We’re equally focused on bringing in strong leadership talent from outside and nurturing promising individuals from within. This balance is helping us build a future-ready organisation that values entrepreneurship, agility, and accountability at every level.”

As India witnesses a growing shift toward health-conscious lifestyles and protein-rich diets, Avvatar stands poised to play a pivotal role in this wellness transformation. With forward-thinking leadership and a talent-first approach, Parag Milk Foods continues to set benchmarks not only in product innovation but also in building a workplace where passion seamlessly meets purpose.


Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

Pune Gas Enters North India with Delhi’s First Smart Gas Experience Centre, Eyes Over 7 Lakh Commercial LPG Users

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Pune Gas, a leading player in commercial and industrial gas systems, has marked a major milestone by opening North India’s first dedicated commercial and industrial LPG and Natural Gas Experience Centre in Okhla, Delhi. This is Pune Gas’ first owned centre and seventh overall, signalling a strong foray into the northern market.

The launch event saw the presence of Mr. Jaisinh Sampat, Founder & Managing Director, along with Mr. Jesal Sampat (Executive Director), Mr. Bhaven Udeshi (Director of Sales), Mrs. Radhika Oza (Director of Projects), and the North India team, underscoring the company’s commitment to growth in the region.

The new Delhi centre will act as a hub for businesses across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, offering hands-on demonstrations, expert consultations, and end-to-end solutions — from vaporizers to advanced gas safety systems.

Driving Cleaner, Efficient Energy Use

India consumed over 30,900 TMT of LPG in FY23, yet only 16% of this was by industrial and commercial sectors, many of which still rely on diesel, furnace oil, or even wood. In North India alone, over 7.12 lakh commercial LPG users face inefficiencies like cylinder freezing, losing 3–4 kg of gas daily. Pune Gas’ flagship LPGenius system directly addresses this, ensuring steady vaporisation and up to 30% savings on LPG costs.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Jaisinh Sampat said, “Delhi’s strategic position as an industrial and commercial hub makes it the perfect base. As MSMEs and industries grow, our mission is to drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability. With our systems already helping save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually by reducing fuel wastage, we’re excited to deepen our footprint here.”

Echoing this, Mr. Jesal Sampat added, “Through our Experience Centres, we are bridging the knowledge gap and making smart gas systems accessible to businesses of all sizes. As energy costs rise and sustainability norms tighten, industries need smarter, cleaner alternatives — exactly what we bring to the table.”

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What’s Inside Delhi’s Experience Centre?

Visitors to the new centre can explore:

  • LPGenius: The world’s first Smart LPG system, Made in India, designed for LOT 47.5 kg cylinders, ensuring no freezing and major cost savings — perfect for commercial kitchens and industries.

  • FuelFusion: A unique dual-fuel solution allowing diesel generators to run partly on LPG, slashing diesel usage without heavy retrofitting.

  • LeakCheck: A sleek, precise gas leak detection system enhancing safety for hotels, restaurants, and large facilities.

About Pune Gas

With a four-decade legacy, Pune Gas leads in gas-based energy systems, serving sectors from hospitality to manufacturing across India and 20 global markets. Their focus: cutting operational costs, boosting efficiency, and enabling a smooth shift to cleaner energy.

As Pune Gas rolls out its Delhi centre, it sets the stage for wider adoption of sustainable, cost-efficient gas systems across North India’s booming commercial and hospitality landscape.


Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas Welcomes Petr Pisecky as New General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 3, 2025

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, one of Qatar’s premier leisure destinations, has officially announced the appointment of Petr Pisecky as its new General Manager. With a distinguished hospitality career spanning nearly three decades across three continents, Petr brings a bold and visionary approach to lead the next chapter of this dynamic resort.

Located on Qatar’s scenic southwestern coastline, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas offers guests a comprehensive experience featuring a 3.5 km private beach, expansive Arabian Village, eforea spa, and 361 luxurious keys, including rooms, suites, villas, and townhouses. The resort is also home to Desert Falls Water & Adventure Park, one of the largest waterparks in the Middle East.

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“It’s a tremendous honour to lead such a landmark destination within Qatar’s vibrant and rapidly growing hospitality sector,” said Petr Pisecky. “Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is a truly unique offering—a dynamic complex that blends leisure and adventure in one expansive setting. I’m delighted to be in Qatar and look forward to enhancing guest experiences and driving sustained success.”

Petr’s hospitality journey is a true testament to hard work and dedication, having risen from a waiter apprentice to General Manager. With more than 20 years at Hilton, he most recently led the pre-opening of a Hilton property in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and previously served as Cluster GM for DoubleTree by Hilton Riyadh Al Muroj and Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya.

His global career has also included impactful roles in China, Australia, the UAE, and his native Czech Republic, across key domains such as operations, business development, and guest services.

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Beyond work, Petr is a passionate sports enthusiast, devoted family man, and global traveller with a love for international cuisines.

As Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas continues to attract travellers seeking a world-class destination for leisure, adventure, and family experiences, Petr Pisecky’s leadership is set to steer the resort into a future defined by innovation, excellence, and elevated guest satisfaction.

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