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


Hilton Bengaluru Manyata Business Park Appoints Owaize Ahmed Khan as Executive Chef

Hilton Bengaluru Manyata Business Park Appoints Owaize Ahmed Khan as Executive Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 18, 2026

Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has announced the appointment of Owaize Ahmed Khan as its new Executive Chef. With over 17 years of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings strong expertise in culinary innovation, menu development, and operational management.

Chef Khan joins the property after leading culinary operations at several well-known hotels, including Hyatt Regency Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Novotel Bengaluru, Radisson Noida, Radisson Temple Bay Resort, Sheraton Grand Chennai, The Star Sydney, Rixos The Palm Dubai, and Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi. Over the years, he has been involved in creating signature menus, managing multi-outlet food and beverage operations, and improving efficiency while maintaining high levels of guest satisfaction.

In his new role, he will oversee culinary operations across five signature restaurants and the hotel’s large banquet facilities. Known for his creative approach and team leadership, he will focus on delivering quality dining experiences while maintaining operational efficiency and food safety standards.

Commenting on the appointment, Sujeet Kumar, General Manager, said, "We are happy to welcome Chef Owaize Ahmed Khan to Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park. His wealth of experience, creativity, and leadership will elevate our culinary offerings and provide our guests with memorable dining experiences that reflect both global and local flavors."

Chef Owaize Ahmed Khan said, "I am thrilled to join Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park and contribute to creating unique culinary experiences for our guests. My focus will be on blending global flavors with local ingredients to provide memorable dining moments for both business and leisure travelers."


Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Amit Kumar as Director of Engineering

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida Appoints Amit Kumar as Director of Engineering

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 18, 2026

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has announced the appointment of Amit Kumar as its new Director of Engineering. With over 17 years of experience in hospitality engineering, he joins the hotel with strong expertise in managing operations and infrastructure.

In his new role, Amit will oversee engineering operations, maintenance systems, sustainability initiatives, and overall infrastructure management. His focus will be on ensuring high standards of safety, operational efficiency, and guest comfort across the property.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Amit served as Director of Engineering at Holiday Inn Cochin, where he led the engineering team for three years. During his tenure, he contributed to maintaining smooth operations and implementing efficient engineering practices.

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Over the years, Amit has worked with several well-known hospitality brands across India, including Jaypee Hotels & Resorts in Greater Noida and Mussoorie, Radisson Gurugram, The Leela Gurugram, Crowne Plaza Pune, and Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad. His experience across multiple brands has helped him build strong technical knowledge along with leadership skills in hotel engineering management.

Commenting on the appointment, Sharad Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Amit Kumar to the Crowne Plaza Greater Noida family. His deep technical expertise, strong leadership, and extensive experience in hotel engineering will be a valuable asset to our team. We are confident that Amit will play a key role in further strengthening our engineering operations and supporting the hotel’s commitment to operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences."

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida looks forward to Amit’s contribution as the hotel continues to deliver quality hospitality experiences for its guests.


Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Appoints Priyanka Kumari as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the appointment of Priyanka Kumari as its new Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing more than eight years of experience in the hospitality sector, she joins the team with strong expertise in restaurant operations, guest engagement, and food and beverage management.

In her new role, Priyanka will oversee the hotel’s food and beverage operations, focusing on improving guest dining experiences and maintaining high service standards across its restaurants and outlets. She will also work closely with various teams across the property to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring consistent and memorable experiences for guests.

Priyanka began her professional journey with Marriott International, where she developed a strong foundation in hospitality operations. She later joined Pullman Hotels and Resorts and Novotel Delhi as a Food & Beverage Sales Manager before moving to Taj Hotels as a Restaurant Manager. Most recently, she was associated with ITC Mementos Ekaaya Udaipur, where she gained further experience in luxury hospitality and guest-focused service.

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, she will lead initiatives focused on service excellence, team development, and innovative dining concepts. Her approach centres on creating meaningful interactions with guests while continuing to strengthen Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad’s reputation as a preferred destination for memorable culinary experiences.

“I am excited to begin my journey with Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad and be part of a culture that values respect, leadership, and growth. I look forward to contributing to the team by creating impactful dining experiences, strengthening guest connections, and bringing a people-first approach to everything we do,” said Priyanka Kumari, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.

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