Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar Welcomes Vaishakh Surendran as General Manager

Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar Welcomes Vaishakh Surendran as General Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 13, 2024

Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar is excited to announce the appointment of Vaishakh Surendran as its new general manager. With over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Surendran brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Known for his extensive background in hotel and resort operations, particularly in front office management, he has consistently delivered top-tier results throughout his career.

Before joining Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar, Surendran served as general manager at Ramada Chennai Potheri, where he played a pivotal role in the property's rebranding from SRM to Ramada. His previous experience also includes serving as general manager at Mercure Chennai Sriperumbudur. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with reputable organizations such as Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Radisson, Fortune Park Hotels, and Taj. Surendran began his hospitality journey with Hilton Worldwide and The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts.

image

On his appointment, Surendran expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am extremely delighted to join the team at Lyfe Hotels and Resorts, Bhubaneswar. My career has always been driven by a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences, and I look forward to continuing this journey with the talented team at Lyfe. Together, I am confident we will elevate the guest experience and set new benchmarks for hospitality in Bhubaneswar.”

Dhiman Mazumdar, Chief Operating Officer at Lyfe Hotels and Resorts, also commented on the appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Vaishakh Surendran to the Lyfe Hotels family. His proven leadership and deep understanding of the hospitality sector will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of our property.”

Surendran's leadership is expected to enhance the guest experience at Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar, positioning the property for continued growth and success in the competitive hospitality landscape.


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


DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad Strengthens Leadership Team with Two Key Appointments

DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad Strengthens Leadership Team with Two Key Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on July 15, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad has announced two strategic leadership appointments with Chef Ashwani Nigam joining as Executive Chef and Bipin Prajapati taking on the role of Assistant Financial Controller. The appointments reinforce the hotel's commitment to strengthening operational excellence and delivering elevated guest experiences.

Chef Ashwani Nigam brings extensive experience in luxury hospitality and culinary leadership. As Executive Chef, he will oversee the hotel's culinary operations, menu innovation, food quality, and kitchen management while driving distinctive dining experiences across the property's restaurants and banqueting operations.

image

Joining the finance leadership team, Bipin Prajapati has been appointed Assistant Financial Controller. With significant expertise in hotel finance, compliance, budgeting, and financial operations, he will be responsible for supporting the hotel's financial planning, reporting, and operational efficiency while ensuring strong financial governance.

The appointments reflect DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad's continued focus on building a high-performing leadership team across key operational functions as the hotel continues to strengthen its position in the city's hospitality landscape.

The management expressed confidence that the combined expertise of Chef Ashwani Nigam and Bipin Prajapati will contribute significantly to enhancing guest satisfaction, operational performance, and the hotel's long-term growth


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.