Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Kumar Rathod as Director of Finance, bringing more than 22 years of experience in financial planning, analysis and management across luxury hospitality and multinational corporate environments.

Kumar returns to Goa with an extensive hospitality finance portfolio spanning India and the Maldives. He joins the two properties from Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, Maldives, and has previously worked with hospitality brands including Radisson, Intercontinental and Orion.

Beyond hospitality, Kumar has held finance roles with organisations including Adlab Films Ltd., Mahindra and Mahindra, Nestle, Desai Group, and Firm of Chartered Accountants. A Certified Management Accountant (CMA – Australia), Kumar also holds an Associate CPA designation, IFRS Certification, an Executive MBA from the Indian School of Business Management and a B.Com. from Damodar College, Goa University.

Commenting on the appointment, Cluster General Manager - Amit Sangwan said, “We are delighted to welcome Kumar Rathod to the Novotel Goa family. His extensive experience across luxury hospitality, strong strategic financial acumen, and previous association with the Goa hospitality industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We are confident that his expertise will contribute significantly to the continued growth and success of both Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim.”

The appointment comes at an important time for both hotels. Novotel Goa Resort & Spa is set to further enhance its guest experience with the upcoming renovation of its guest rooms, scheduled for completion by Q4 2026, while continuing to strengthen it’s position as one of Goa's preferred family, MICE, and pet-friendly resort destinations.

Meanwhile, Novotel Goa Candolim continues to offer leisure experiences and remains one of North Goa's leading hospitality destinations. In his new role, Kumar will oversee the financial operations of both properties, focusing on strategic financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, cost optimisation, financial governance, compliance and profitability management.

His experience in multi-property operations, financial analysis, infrastructure development and team leadership will further support the hotels' financial and operational objectives, with a focus on sustainable growth and long-term success. Outside work, Kumar enjoys travelling and exploring new destinations. He is also a keen cricket enthusiast and appreciates the teamwork and strategic thinking associated with the sport, values that also resonate in his professional life.