Sunday Hotels, a global hospitality brand under Prism backed by SoftBank, has announced the appointment of Firoz Khan as Director and Channel Head – Business Development, India.

The appointment further strengthens the company’s leadership team as the brand continues to focus on strategic expansion and partnership-driven growth across the country.

In his new role, Firoz will lead business development and channel strategy initiatives, with a focus on identifying high-potential markets, building stronger partner ecosystems, and developing a scalable growth structure across the brand’s portfolio.

Firoz brings more than 16 years of industry experience with expertise in market entry strategies, brand positioning, mall zoning, tenant mix planning, retail operations, and long-term brand sustainability. Throughout his career, he has developed strong relationships with developers, retailers, and institutional stakeholders, helping drive successful expansion strategies across different real estate markets in India.

Before joining Sunday Hotels, Firoz served as Vice President and Head – North India Business at PPZ, where he managed the company’s North India portfolio. During his tenure, he focused on regional growth, developer partnerships, and asset acquisition while working closely with leadership teams on business planning and performance strategies. His responsibilities also included operations, marketing, budgeting, leasing, and SOH management.

Earlier in his career, he worked as Associate Director at Colliers International, where he handled projects across multiple markets and collaborated with retailers and developers nationwide. In this role, he also supported several retail and startup brands in shaping their expansion plans and business development strategies across Tier I, II, and III cities.

Firoz has also worked closely with major brands including Walmart, Metro Cash & Carry, and PVR INOX, contributing towards retail expansion across emerging markets. His professional journey also includes key roles at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, and JLL.

Commenting on his appointment, Firoz Khan said,

"For me, business development has always been about understanding how markets evolve and building partnerships with intent. What stood out about Sunday Hotels is the clarity in its growth vision and the opportunity to build in a way that is both structured and sustainable. There is strong potential to deepen channel relationships and approach expansion more thoughtfully, and I look forward to working with the team to shape that journey in the years ahead."

With this appointment, Sunday Hotels aims to further strengthen its business development capabilities while continuing to build a scalable and future-ready hospitality platform.

Fairfest Media has announced the appointment of Simon Press as Managing Director – International, marking a strategic move aimed at accelerating its global expansion and strengthening its presence across key international markets.

The appointment comes in the wake of Fairfest Media’s recent acquisition of WTE Miami, which the company plans to scale into a leading global travel trade platform. In his new role, Simon Press will oversee Fairfest’s international portfolio, with a focus on expanding WTE Miami and identifying opportunities to bring high-potential global event IPs into India.

Simon Press brings over two decades of experience in the global exhibitions and B2B media industry, having worked across Europe, the Middle East, and international travel trade ecosystems. His background includes leadership roles in large-scale exhibitions, where he was responsible for strategy, partnerships, and market expansion.

He will be based across Miami, London, and Mumbai as he leads Fairfest Media’s international growth strategy and strengthens cross-market collaboration between the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Speaking on the appointment, Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO of Fairfest Media, said Simon’s experience aligns strongly with the company’s vision of building globally relevant exhibition platforms. He added that WTE Miami is expected to scale rapidly under this leadership and open new opportunities for international collaboration.

Simon Press, in his statement, highlighted Fairfest Media’s strong reputation in Asia and its growing global ambition, noting that the acquisition of WTE Miami presents a strong foundation for building a truly international travel trade ecosystem.

The company has also indicated active engagement with global event organisers for co-development and co-investment opportunities in India, leveraging its deep market experience and established industry network.

Fairfest Media is best known for its flagship travel trade show OTM Mumbai, one of Asia’s leading tourism industry platforms, bringing together thousands of professionals from across the global travel ecosystem.

With this latest appointment, Fairfest Media continues to strengthen its position as a cross-border exhibitions leader, bridging global markets and reinforcing India’s growing role in the international events landscape.

JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Saket Verma as Hotel Manager, further strengthening the hotel’s focus on luxury hospitality, operational excellence, and leadership in Eastern India’s premium hospitality market.

With more than 15 years of experience across globally recognised hospitality brands, Saket Verma brings a strong mix of commercial understanding and operational expertise to the role. Known for balancing business performance with elevated guest experiences, his leadership approach combines strategic thinking with a guest-focused mindset that aligns with the changing expectations of modern luxury travellers.

Before joining JW Marriott Kolkata in this role, Saket served at Courtyard by Marriott Raipur, where he played an important role in improving financial performance, strengthening guest satisfaction scores, and driving agile revenue strategies in a competitive market. His tenure focused strongly on profitability and long-term sustainable growth.

Earlier, he worked as Multi-Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing for JW Marriott Kolkata and Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri. During this period, he contributed significantly towards strengthening commercial strategies, improving brand positioning, and delivering consistent RevPAR growth across both properties.

Saket’s career journey also includes experience with leading hospitality groups such as The Oberoi Group, Hilton, and Accor, giving him extensive exposure across luxury and upscale hospitality segments.

In his new role, Saket will oversee the hotel’s overall operations, with a focus on enhancing service standards, strengthening guest engagement, and driving strong financial results while further reinforcing JW Marriott Kolkata’s position in the luxury hospitality sector.

Commenting on his appointment, Saket Verma said,

"JW Marriott represents a legacy of refined luxury and intuitive service. I look forward to building on this strong foundation by nurturing a culture that seamlessly integrates performance excellence with meaningful guest experiences."