Lemon Tree Hotels Announces Strategic Leadership Changes Effective October 1, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels Announces Strategic Leadership Changes Effective October 1, 2025

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 12, 2025

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited (LTH) has announced a strategic leadership reshuffle effective October 1, 2025, subject to shareholder approval. The changes are part of the company’s succession planning to ensure leadership continuity and robust governance.

Patanjali Govind Keswani will continue as executive chairman of LTH and chair of the board of directors, focusing on ensuring a smooth operational handover to the new MD & CEO, accelerating expansion through an asset-light growth strategy, and providing long-term strategic oversight. Keswani will also retain his role as executive chairman of Fleur Hotels Limited (a material subsidiary), guiding its expansion plans with disciplined capital allocation and high-level governance.

At LTH, Neelendra Singh has been appointed as managing director, responsible for day-to-day operations and all business functions. With 26 years of experience, Singh’s career includes senior leadership roles at Adidas in India, South Korea, and Germany.

Kapil Sharma, a seasoned Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of financial expertise, has been elevated to executive director & chief financial officer. Sharma has been with the Lemon Tree Group since 2004, playing a pivotal role in M&A activities, capital market transactions, and strategic financial management.

Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, who joined as president in June 2025, will oversee operations, HR, and revenue management. Cheema brings 28 years of hospitality experience from leading brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels, Radisson Group, Marriott International, and Carnival UK.

At Fleur Hotels Limited, Saurabh Shatdal will take charge as managing director & CEO, overseeing all operational and business functions. Shatdal’s 27-year career spans capital markets, land acquisitions, and hospitality operations, most recently as MD - Capital Markets & Land and India Head-Retail at Cushman & Wakefield.

Mayank Sharma has been appointed as chief financial officer at Fleur Hotels, bringing over 15 years of expertise in financial management, consultancy, and industry roles.

Sanjiv Jain joins as vice president – projects & engineering, responsible for hotel design, development, and renovation. Jain has 33 years of experience, with previous roles at NBCC Limited and Bloom Hotels.

The company stated that these appointments reflect its commitment to strengthening leadership depth while preparing for the next phase of growth in India’s competitive hospitality sector.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Kimberly Fernandez as Marketing & Communications Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Kimberly Fernandez as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With experience in media, communications, and hospitality marketing, she brings valuable knowledge to support the hotel’s efforts in strengthening brand presence and guest engagement.

In her new role, Kimberly will handle the hotel’s marketing, digital, communications, and public relations initiatives. Her focus will be on improving brand visibility while highlighting the property’s dining and wellness offerings. She will also work closely with teams across the hotel to create impactful campaigns, build media relationships, and share stories that reflect the unique experiences offered at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

Kimberly’s professional journey includes working with well-known hospitality brands such as Hyatt Regency Chennai, Novotel Ahmedabad, and Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley during its pre-opening phase. She has also gained experience outside the hospitality space with Zak Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd and Care World TV. Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in media relations, brand communication, digital strategy, and event-led marketing.

As Marketing & Communications Manager, she will lead brand positioning, digital presence, content creation, media engagement, and strategic events. Her role will focus on creating meaningful connections with guests while strengthening Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s position as a preferred destination for stays, dining, and celebrations.

"I am excited to take on this role at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and look forward to building engaging campaigns that showcase the hotel’s signature experiences. My focus will be on strengthening our digital presence, amplifying our brand story, and deepening connections with guests and the community, while reflecting the care and hospitality that define Hyatt," said Kimberly Fernandez, Marketing & Communications Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Welcomes Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef

By Hariharan U

Published on March 17, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has added a strong culinary voice to its kitchen leadership with the appointment of Rahul Shirish Karve as Executive Sous Chef. The move reinforces the hotel's position as one of Mumbai's most respected luxury dining destinations, known for its signature brunches, elevated banquet offerings, and refined guest experiences.

Rahul comes with a well-rounded and impressive career behind him. His previous stints include Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Hyatt Pune, and Sahara Star Hotel, giving him exposure to the kind of high-pressure, high-standard kitchen environments that luxury hospitality demands. His expertise spans Japanese, Oriental, Western, and Awadhi cuisines, a genuinely broad range that speaks to the versatility required in a hotel of JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's scale and ambition.

What sets Rahul apart is how he thinks about the kitchen itself. He views it as both a creative studio and a performance space, where precision and artistry work together rather than in opposition. That philosophy translates directly into the kind of dining experiences he creates, ones that go beyond technical execution to leave a genuine impression on the guest.

His operational credentials are equally strong. He brings experience managing high-volume culinary events including those exceeding 25,000 covers, which is particularly relevant at a hotel with 95,781 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space and a reputation for setting benchmarks in banquet excellence.

In his new role, Rahul will focus on crafting elevated dining experiences across the hotel's portfolio, which includes Romano's, JW Café, BarQat, and AUTM, reinforcing JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar's standing as a destination for luxury culinary experiences in the city.

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