Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as General Manager

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 9, 2024

Novotel Pune has appointed Anant Leekha as the new General Manager. Leekha, who brings over 20 years of industry experience, will oversee the overall operations and management of Novotel Pune Nagar Road, focusing on enhancing guest engagement and profitability while further establishing the hotel's reputation.

Anant Leekha's appointment marks his return to Pune, where he first served as General Manager in 2016. His extensive experience in sales and operations, combined with his natural ability to motivate and develop dynamic teams, will contribute significantly to the hotel’s growth and success. Leekha is dedicated to delivering the Heartist experience to guests and team members alike.

Prior to his new role at Novotel Pune, Leekha had a distinguished 16-year tenure with Accor, during which he gained deep insights into the company's goals, service standards, and brand identity. Most recently, he served as Cluster General Manager for ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, ibis Navi Mumbai, and ibis Thane, overseeing a total of 631 rooms and achieving consistent excellence in performance metrics.

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Leekha holds a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. In his new role, he will lead initiatives to drive business growth and enhance guest experiences through strategic and technological advancements.

About Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts:

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed to be comforting and energizing places where guests can 'press pause' and savor the moments that truly matter. With over 530 locations in more than 60 countries, Novotel provides a wide array of services for business and leisure guests, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious options; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for younger guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers.

Novotel is part of Accor, a leading global hospitality group with more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues across 110 countries.

For more information, visit: Accor Hotels


Chef Md. Arif Qureshi Leads Culinary Operations at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida

Chef Md. Arif Qureshi Leads Culinary Operations at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida

By Hariharan U

Published on October 22, 2026

Chef Md. Arif Qureshi serves as Chef de Cuisine at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida, bringing around 15 years of culinary experience across luxury hospitality properties in India and international markets. His expertise spans all-day dining, menu development, food production, banquet management and kitchen operations.

Throughout his career, Chef Qureshi has worked with several established hospitality brands, including The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur; Hilton Al Hamra Beach & Golf Resort, Ras Al Khaimah; Le Méridien Gurgaon; DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Residences, Al Barsha, Dubai; Hilton Garden Inn Gurgaon Baani Square; and The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi.

His experience across these properties has exposed him to diverse culinary environments, varying guest expectations and the operational requirements of luxury hotel kitchens.

Chef Qureshi specialises in menu planning, recipe development, food preparation, all-day dining and large-scale banquet operations. His work focuses on maintaining consistency in food quality, taste and presentation while adhering to food safety, hygiene and sanitation standards.

His responsibilities also extend to team coordination, staff mentoring and daily kitchen management. These areas play an important role in ensuring smooth food production across different dining formats and service requirements.

Managing culinary operations in a hotel environment requires coordination between kitchen teams, service staff and other departments, particularly during high-volume dining periods and large events. Chef Qureshi's experience across established hotel operations has equipped him to manage these requirements while maintaining quality and operational efficiency.

At Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida, he contributes to the property's food and beverage operations, with a focus on all-day dining, menu execution and kitchen team management.

With experience spanning leading hospitality brands in India and overseas, Chef Qureshi continues to focus on culinary development, efficient kitchen operations and delivering consistent dining experiences.


Hyatt Centric Janakpuri Appoints Malkeet Singh as Human Resources Manager

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri Appoints Malkeet Singh as Human Resources Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on October 22, 2026

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, New Delhi, has appointed Malkeet Singh as Human Resources Manager, strengthening its focus on talent development, colleague engagement and workplace culture. Singh brings 11 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with established hotel groups including Hyatt, Radisson and IHG.

Before joining Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, Singh served as Associate Director of Human Resources at Radisson Group. His professional experience also includes HR leadership positions at Radisson Noida, Holiday Inn Amritsar and Crowne Plaza Today Gurugram.

Throughout his career, Singh has developed expertise in talent management, colleague engagement and team development. His experience includes working with established hotel operations and contributing to pre-opening initiatives, giving him exposure to different aspects of hospitality human resources.

In his new role, Singh will focus on supporting colleague growth, fostering an engaging workplace and strengthening the hotel's people-focused culture.

Commenting on his appointment, Singh said, “Every day is an opportunity to make a positive difference in someone’s growth and experience. I believe that when people feel heard, engaged and motivated, they can achieve their best. I look forward to bringing this philosophy to Hyatt Centric Janakpuri and creating an environment where colleagues feel valued and inspired to grow.”

The appointment reflects Hyatt Centric Janakpuri's continued emphasis on nurturing talent and creating a positive work environment where colleagues can develop professionally and contribute to the hotel's operations.

About Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, New Delhi

Hyatt Centric Janakpuri is a lifestyle hotel located in West Delhi, offering access to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Janakpuri West Metro Station, Pacific Mall and major city attractions. The property features contemporary accommodation and a multi-cuisine restaurant, Kitchen District.

With extensive banquet facilities for weddings, corporate events and social celebrations, the hotel also offers a fitness centre, poolside facilities and a spa.

For more information, visit the official hotel website.


Ravi Patil Appointed Director of Engineering at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

Ravi Patil Appointed Director of Engineering at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 19, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has appointed Ravi Patil as Director of Engineering, strengthening its leadership team with a focus on operational excellence, sustainability and infrastructure management. With over 16 years of experience across luxury hospitality, Patil will oversee the property's engineering operations, technical services, asset management and infrastructure development.

In his new role, Patil will focus on improving operational efficiency, strengthening preventive maintenance practices, advancing sustainability initiatives and ensuring the long-term performance of the property's infrastructure. He will also be responsible for supporting the smooth functioning of the hotel's technical operations.

Before joining JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Patil served as Director of Engineering at The Westin Mumbai Garden City. He has also held engineering leadership positions with Marriott International across Mumbai and Pune. His international hospitality experience includes roles at Fairmont Dubai and Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda.

Known for his attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Patil has led engineering teams and managed maintenance, refurbishment and infrastructure initiatives. His work has focused on improving reliability, maintaining safety standards, enhancing energy efficiency and optimising resource use.

Speaking about his appointment, Ravi Patil said, "Engineering in hospitality is about creating systems that are reliable, efficient and sustainable, while ensuring they work seamlessly in the background to support the guest experience. I look forward to bringing this approach to JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and working with the team to further strengthen its operational and engineering standards."

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