Noted industrialist Gokul Jaykrishna has taken over as the new Chairman of FICCI Gujarat, with a strong focus on making the council a more action-oriented platform for industry, especially to support the growth and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Jaykrishna, 57, is the CEO and Joint Managing Director of Asahi Songwon Colors Limited, a leading player in the chemicals and pigments sector. Under his leadership, FICCI Gujarat will prioritise productivity enhancement through artificial intelligence, while working closely with the government to deliver measurable outcomes for businesses across sectors.

“The council will work towards building on Gujarat’s manufacturing strengths and positioning the state as a global manufacturing hub, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative and the broader national economic agenda,” Jaykrishna said. “By leveraging AI and technology-led solutions, we can significantly improve productivity, competitiveness, and ease of doing business.”

During his tenure, FICCI Gujarat will also place strong emphasis on sustainability, encouraging both MSMEs and large corporates to adopt productivity-enhancing and technology-driven solutions. The council plans to host a series of sector-specific manufacturing events over the year to promote knowledge sharing, attract investments, and showcase opportunities across key industries.

Jaykrishna highlighted that focused industry–government engagement will be central to the council’s approach. “We will facilitate structured, closed-door roundtables to enable constructive dialogue, address policy challenges, and strengthen collaboration between industry and government,” he added.

Jaykrishna holds a degree in Business and Economics from Lehigh University and also serves on the boards of Asahi Tennants Colors, Atlas Life Sciences, The Anup Engineering, and Arvind Limited.

JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu has announced the appointment of Chef Jacopo Avigo as the new Italian Chef at its modern European dining destination, Mezzo Mezzo. With a distinguished culinary career spanning over 16 years across Italy, Greece, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, Chef Avigo brings refined expertise, Michelin-influenced skills, and a strong creative vision to the restaurant.

A native of the Garda Lake region in Italy, Chef Avigo’s culinary foundation is deeply rooted in the traditions of authentic Italian cuisine. His formative years were shaped in Michelin-starred kitchens across Italy, where he honed his understanding of technique, balance, and flavour. Over the years, his global journey has included senior culinary leadership roles at several luxury hospitality brands, including Grand Hyatt Dubai, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, Marriott International India, and Minor Hotels Thailand.

Chef Avigo’s career reflects a blend of creativity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to culinary excellence. His expertise spans Italian, Mediterranean, and contemporary cuisines, complemented by strengths in menu development, culinary innovation, and immersive live cooking experiences. These capabilities have earned him recognition across international markets.

Having previously worked in India with Marriott International between 2016 and 2020, Chef Avigo returns with a strong understanding of the Indian palate. This familiarity positions him well to craft experiences that resonate with local guests while remaining true to Italian culinary authenticity.

As the new Italian Chef at Mezzo Mezzo, Chef Avigo aims to elevate the restaurant’s identity through modern techniques, premium ingredients, and contemporary expressions of authenticity. His culinary philosophy is rooted in balance and emotion, supported by conscious practices such as locally sourced ingredients, zero-waste principles, and mindful sustainability.

Speaking about his appointment, Chef Jacopo Avigo said, “Cooking, for me, is a conversation between memory and imagination, that fragile line where instinct meets precision and chaos becomes harmony. Mezzo Mezzo is born from this idea of balance. The perfect middle, the space where emotions, technique, and flavor coexist.”

With this appointment, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu continues to strengthen its culinary leadership, offering guests elevated dining experiences that blend global expertise with thoughtful, modern interpretations.

The First Group Hospitality, a full-service hotel management company headquartered in Dubai, has announced a series of senior leadership appointments to support its accelerating growth and international expansion. These newly created roles are designed to strengthen capabilities across commercial strategy, marketing, F&B, sales, and wellness operations.

Brendan McCormack assumes the role of Vice President – Business Development, Food & Beverage (F&B). McCormack, previously VP of Marketing and a member of the leadership team since 2020, will focus on scaling the company’s proprietary F&B brands, including Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery and The Blacksmith Bar & Eatery, through franchising and new business opportunities.

Robyn James-O’Connor joins as Senior Vice President – Marketing, overseeing brand, advertising, public relations, social and digital strategy, and development marketing. With a 20-year career at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, including VP of Marketing for the group, she brings extensive expertise in brand-building and integrated marketing within luxury hospitality.

Antonio Bissoni steps in as Vice President – Commercial, leading revenue management, distribution, guest engagement, and commercial strategy. He joins from Marriott International, bringing a wealth of experience in optimising pricing, analytics, and market segmentation to maximise profitability.

Sohail Pedari, appointed Vice President – Sales, will oversee group-wide sales operations, leveraging his experience with Hilton, Marriott International, and Rocco Forte Hotels to drive strategic partnerships and revenue growth across multiple markets.

Maria Kuzeva joins as Corporate Director of Wellness & Spa, charged with driving a unified wellness vision across The First Group Hospitality’s expanding portfolio. With over 20 years of experience at top-tier resorts such as Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis The Royal, she brings expertise in concept development, operations, and brand creation in wellness.

Commenting on the appointments, Apo Demirtas, Chief Strategy Officer, said, "It is a pleasure to welcome these talented leaders into their new roles. As our portfolio grows regionally and internationally, these positions strengthen our capabilities across key operational areas, ensuring we deliver long-term value for our owners and partners."

The appointments come amid significant growth, including landmark developments like Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel, the Vignette Collection by IHG, franchise agreements with Marriott International and IHG, and the company’s entry into Europe with Gennadi Seaside Resort.

About The First Group Hospitality
The First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-based full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. The company partners with global brands to optimise revenue, enhance efficiency, and maximise asset value, while developing and operating upscale hotels, residences, and award-winning restaurants across the Middle East and internationally.

For more information, visit: tfghospitality.com