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.

image

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


Hyatt Pune Appoints Glen D’Souza as New General Manager

Hyatt Pune Appoints Glen D’Souza as New General Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

Hyatt Pune has appointed Glen D’Souza as its new General Manager, effective January 4, 2026. With more than two decades of experience in the global hospitality industry, D’Souza brings a strong background in hotel pre-openings, operations, and brand-led growth across key international markets.

In his new role, D’Souza will focus on strengthening Hyatt Pune’s positioning among business and leisure travellers, while also enhancing its reputation as a preferred destination for dining, social gatherings, and experiential hospitality. His leadership approach will centre on intuitive guest experiences, operational excellence, and team engagement.

Prior to joining Hyatt Pune, D’Souza served as the Pre-Opening General Manager at Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the hotel as a prominent lifestyle destination. Under his leadership, the property earned multiple industry recognitions in 2025, with its dining venues gaining strong local traction.

Before Hyatt, D’Souza spent over 20 years with Marriott International, holding senior leadership roles across Hong Kong, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. His experience spans seven hotel pre-openings and six brands across luxury, premium, extended stay, and select service segments.

Commenting on his appointment, D’Souza said he looks forward to building on Hyatt Pune’s strengths and creating meaningful guest connections in a dynamic and growing market.


The Ritz-Carlton Pune Appoints Ishwinder Gill as General Manager

The Ritz-Carlton Pune Appoints Ishwinder Gill as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 5, 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the appointment of Ishwinder Gill as its new General Manager, bringing with him over two decades of distinguished experience in the global hospitality industry.

In his new role, Ishwinder Gill will focus on further enhancing the hotel’s luxury positioning, strengthening operational excellence, and elevating overall guest experiences. His appointment reflects the brand’s continued commitment to thoughtful leadership and refined luxury in one of India’s key hospitality markets.

Ishwinder joins The Ritz-Carlton, Pune after a successful tenure as General Manager at W Goa, where he played a pivotal role in reinforcing the resort’s reputation as one of India’s leading luxury lifestyle destinations. His transition marks a shift from leading a vibrant lifestyle brand to steering one of the world’s most iconic luxury hospitality names.

Previously, Ishwinder served as Chief Operating Officer at Far East Hospitality, overseeing operations across 26 hotels in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia. During his time in Singapore, he was instrumental in the development and success of several acclaimed upscale and luxury brands, including The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, Oasia Resort Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel, and The Clan Hotel.

An alumnus of Cornell University, USA, and the William Angliss Institute, Melbourne, Ishwinder brings a strong academic foundation combined with deep operational expertise and a global perspective. This positions him well to lead The Ritz-Carlton, Pune into its next phase of growth and excellence.

Commenting on his appointment, Ishwinder Gill said, “I am delighted to join The Ritz-Carlton, Pune and embark on this new chapter. It is an honour to be part of such a globally respected brand, and I look forward to working with the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Pune to further elevate the hotel as a benchmark for luxury hospitality in India.”

His appointment further underscores The Ritz-Carlton, Pune’s focus on strong leadership, exceptional service standards, and delivering memorable experiences aligned with the evolving expectations of today’s global luxury traveller.


The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group Promotes Deepmala Chaudhary as GM – Sales & Corporate Revenue

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group Promotes Deepmala Chaudhary as GM – Sales & Corporate Revenue

By Hariharan U

Published on February 5, 2026

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has announced the promotion of Ms. Deepmala Chaudhary to the role of General Manager – Sales & Corporate Revenue, acknowledging her long-standing contribution and leadership across the Group’s commercial functions.

Associated with The LaLiT since 2013, Ms. Chaudhary has steadily grown through key leadership roles, most recently serving as Head – Corporate Revenue. With over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality revenue management, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Group’s revenue performance across India and international markets, including London.

In her expanded role, she will oversee integrated sales and corporate revenue strategies across rooms, food & beverage, MICE, and digital channels. Her responsibilities will continue to include pricing strategy, demand forecasting, distribution optimisation, and yield management, working closely with unit general managers and central teams.

During her tenure, Ms. Chaudhary has driven stronger direct and online booking performance, built strategic partnerships, and established robust centralised revenue systems across the Group’s portfolio.

Commenting on the promotion, Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said, “Deepmala’s journey reflects dedication, resilience, and a deep understanding of hospitality business dynamics.”

Her elevation reflects The LaLiT’s focus on nurturing internal talent and building future-ready leadership.

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.