Minor Hotels Strengthens Leadership in India with New VP of Operations

Minor Hotels Strengthens Leadership in India with New VP of Operations

By Author

Published on January 26, 2024

Minor Hotels, a prominent international hotel owner, operator, and investor, is excited to welcome Vijay Krishnan-Vazhvelil as Vice President – Operations, India, effective from December 21, 2023. This strategic appointment comes as part of Minor Hotels' ambitious plan to expand its footprint in India, focusing on the successful launch of its first Anantara property in Jaipur and ensuring substantial growth across the country.

Bringing over two decades of experience as a seasoned business leader in luxury hospitality, wildlife tourism, and experiential travel, Krishnan-Vazhvelil has a proven track record of effectively managing strategic growth in emerging markets. His diverse career includes roles with renowned brands such as Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and more.

In his previous position as Vice President Operations at Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels & Resorts, Krishnan-Vazhvelil successfully managed multiple properties across India for one of the nation’s fastest-growing hospitality brands. His expertise aligns with the sustainability-focused approach that Minor Hotels values in its operations.

Working closely with Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President – Middle East, Africa, and India, and the broader Minor Hotels team based in Dubai and Bangkok, Krishnan-Vazhvelil will play a crucial role in building a sustainable pipeline and operations in India.

Amir Golbarg expressed confidence in Krishnan-Vazhvelil's extensive experience, stating, “Vijay’s extensive experience, especially in managing complex luxury hotel and resort operations, will be invaluable as we execute our expansion plans in India. I am certain that his visionary approach and out-of-the-box thinking will ensure Minor Hotels creates a distinctive product and delivers exceptional guest experiences in the Indian market.”

Excited about this new chapter, Krishnan-Vazhvelil remarked, “I am thrilled to join Minor Hotels at this pivotal moment. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the group’s growth journey in India, and I look forward to working with the talented and passionate team at Minor Hotels and leveraging my expertise in lifestyle luxury hospitality to create memorable and sustainable value for all stakeholders.”

Krishnan-Vazhvelil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Mangalore University, India, and has completed courses from Cornell University, USA, in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management, and Managing Strategic Growth and Leadership in Emerging Markets in Hotels and Resorts.


Black Rock Hotels & Resorts Promotes Narendra Saini as Operations Manager

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts Promotes Narendra Saini as Operations Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 17, 2026

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts has promoted Narendra Saini to the position of Operations Manager, recognising his contribution to the company and his successful tenure as Director – Food & Beverage at Ananta Spa & Resort Jaipur.

As part of his new responsibilities, Saini will lead operations at Pushkara Resort & Spa, Pushkar, one of the flagship properties in the group's expanding hospitality portfolio. He will oversee overall resort operations, guest experience, team leadership, financial performance, operational excellence and the implementation of the company's service standards across the property.

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The promotion reflects Black Rock Hotels & Resorts' continued focus on recognising internal talent and creating leadership opportunities for high-performing professionals. During his journey with the organisation, Saini has consistently demonstrated strong operational expertise, leadership skills and a guest-first approach, making him well suited for this expanded role.

Commenting on the appointment, Anshul Bhargava, Founder & Chairman of Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, said:

"At Black Rock, we firmly believe that leadership is built through dedication, performance, and the ability to inspire teams. Narendra's journey within the organization is a reflection of our people-first culture and our commitment to nurturing talent from within. We are confident that his experience and passion for hospitality will further strengthen Pushkara Resort & Spa and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of the group."

Black Rock Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen leadership across its portfolio by investing in talent development. The company remains focused on building a hospitality platform driven by operational excellence, exceptional guest experiences and long-term career growth for its people.


Reliance Consumer Products Appoints Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand

Reliance Consumer Products Appoints Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 16, 2026

Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has announced the appointment of Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand, further strengthening its presence in the hospitality and food service segment.

An alumnus of Amrapali Institute of Hotel Management, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Deepak brings more than a decade of experience across hospitality operations and HORECA business development.

He began his career in 2014 as a bartender at The Westin Pune before joining JW Marriott Bengaluru as a Bar Executive. In 2017, he moved to Jaipur Marriott, followed by a role as Assistant Bar Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru in 2018.

In 2021, Deepak took up an international assignment with Le Méridien Dubai as Bar Incharge. Returning to India in 2023, he joined Royal Orchid Hotels as Multi Outlet Manager, where he oversaw multiple food and beverage operations.

Before joining RCPL, he served as Business Development Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand at Himmaleh Spirits, focusing on strengthening business relationships within the hospitality sector.

With his extensive experience across premium hotels and the beverage industry, Deepak is expected to play a key role in expanding RCPL's HORECA business in Uttarakhand.


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

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