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


Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

Bharti Family Office Appoints Rohan Pewekar as CEO of Hospitality Arm

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Bharti family office’s hospitality and dining arm has announced the appointment of Rohan Pewekar as its Chief Executive Officer. In this role, he will lead the strategy and overall operations of the group’s restaurant business, which includes well-known global brands such as PizzaExpress, Chili’s, P.F. Chang’s, and Olive Garden.

Rohan will focus on strengthening the presence of these brands in India, driving expansion, improving guest experience, and building strong teams to support the next stage of growth.

He brings close to two decades of experience across strategy, finance, and operations in consumer-focused businesses. Most recently, he served as Managing Director, Pizza Hut – Indian Subcontinent at Yum! Brands, where he led operations and expansion across the region. During his time there, he also worked as Chief Strategy and Finance Officer for Pizza Hut India, contributing to business growth, improving performance, and expanding new channels.

Earlier in his career, Rohan worked with Samsung Electronics and Accenture, gaining experience in strategy, transformation, and operations.

He has completed his management education from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, adding a strong academic base to his industry experience.

Commenting on the appointment, Ramit Bharti Mittal, Lead promoter of the hospitality and dining vertical, at the Bharti family office, said,

“The dining and restaurant segment is evolving rapidly, with consumers increasingly seeking differentiated and premium experiences, creating significant opportunities for growth. Rohan brings a strong blend of strategic insight into consumer businesses and deep operational experience. We believe he is well placed to lead our next phase of growth as we expand our portfolio of global restaurant brands and continue building a high-quality dining platform in India.”

Speaking on his appointment, Rohan Pewekar said,

“The group has built a strong portfolio of globally recognized brands, and I look forward to partnering closely with the teams to further strengthen those, deliver exceptional guest experiences, and continue building a world-class restaurant business across the country.”


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Shreyy Puurii as Head Chef

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Shreyy Puurii as its new Head Chef, strengthening its culinary team with a seasoned professional known for his creative and operational expertise.

With over 15 years of experience, Shreyy has worked with leading global hospitality brands such as Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Le Méridien, Pullman (Accor), Massive Restaurants, and Carnival Cruise Line. In his most recent role as Head Chef – Outlet at Hyatt Hyderabad, he led the relaunch of a signature dining venue, bringing in fresh ideas while focusing on guest experience.

Known for his strong skills in menu planning, food cost management, and maintaining quality standards, Shreyy also brings hands-on experience in modern techniques like molecular gastronomy and sous-vide. His approach combines creativity with a structured way of working, helping deliver consistent and engaging dining experiences.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s overall culinary direction, managing menu development, kitchen operations, and guiding the team. His focus will be on creating food and beverage offerings that match changing guest preferences while staying true to Hyatt Centric’s modern and vibrant style.

Speaking on his appointment, Shreyy Puurii shared:

“Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore is a vibrant destination at the crossroads of culture and cuisine. I am excited to collaborate with the team to craft dynamic menus, introduce fresh perspectives, and create memorable dining journeys for our guests.”

With this appointment, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore continues to focus on innovation in its culinary offerings while maintaining consistency and a strong guest experience.


Hilton Mumbai International Airport Welcomes Amol Reel as Commercial Director

Hilton Mumbai International Airport Welcomes Amol Reel as Commercial Director

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 24, 2026

Hilton Mumbai International Airport has announced the appointment of Mr. Amol Reel as its new Commercial Director, adding strength to its leadership team as the hotel continues to grow in Mumbai’s fast-moving hospitality space.

With over a decade of experience across Sales, Marketing, and Commercial Strategy, Amol has worked with leading hospitality brands such as Taj Hotels, Hyatt, and Hilton. In his previous role as Director of Sales at Conrad Pune, he played an important role in driving revenue growth, improving brand positioning, and leading strong-performing teams.

Amol is an alumnus of Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute and started his career with Taj Hotels as a Taj Hospitality Trainee in Food & Beverage Service. He later moved into Sales Operations and has since built a solid reputation for creating result-focused strategies and encouraging a performance-driven work culture.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s Sales, Revenue Management, Marketing, and Distribution functions. His focus will be on building integrated commercial strategies that support revenue growth, profitability, and market presence.

Deepak Kumar, General Manager, Hilton Mumbai International Airport, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Amol to the Hilton Mumbai family. His strong commercial acumen, deep market understanding, and proven leadership in driving results make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that his strategic vision will further strengthen our positioning and contribute significantly to our continued growth.”

Speaking on his appointment, Amol Reel said:

“Coming to the City of Dreams always feels special. After years of learning, growing, and evolving across markets, I am delighted to join the Hilton Mumbai International Airport family. I look forward to leading the commercial team and contributing to the continued growth and success of the hotel.”

Outside of work, Amol enjoys travelling, staying fit, and taking part in adventure activities like trekking and snorkeling. He also likes exploring new cultures and cuisines.

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