Pankaj Saxena Promoted to Lead Radisson Blu’s Operations in West India

Pankaj Saxena Promoted to Lead Radisson Blu’s Operations in West India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 18, 2024

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has announced the promotion of Pankaj Saxena to Area General Manager, West India, and General Manager of Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi. In his new role, Saxena will be responsible for overseeing the growth and operations of RHG across the West India region while continuing his leadership at Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi, a premier hotel located near Pune Airport and the World Trade Center, Pune Kharadi.

With a stellar career spanning over 27 years in the hospitality industry, Saxena has showcased strong leadership skills in both operational and strategic capacities. His extensive experience and commitment to hospitality make him well-suited to spearhead RHG’s efforts to expand and strengthen its presence in West India.

Under his guidance, Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi has flourished as a top-tier property, offering 141 uniquely designed rooms and suites, a luxury spa, diverse dining options, and expansive meeting and event facilities. Notable features include Carmine – All Day Dining Coffee Shop, Citrine – The Cake & Bake Shop, Skye – The Lounge Bar, The Bridge – Connecting Three Cuisines, and The Great Kabab Factory.

Pankaj Saxena holds a Diploma in Business Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Management from Mangalore University. He is also a certified leader under RHG's Leaders Excellence Program, recognized at the RHG Corporate Office in Brussels, Belgium. Over the course of his career, Saxena has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious ‘Hotel of the Year’ award at the Asia Pacific Business Conference in Bangkok. More recently, he has received the Radisson Hotel Group Special Recognition Award and the Centre of Excellence Recognition Award 2024, alongside other honors like the H&RA Western India Honours Recognition Award 2024 and the IHC London & IIHM Hospitality Special Jury Award 2024.

Saxena has represented Radisson Hotel Group at renowned international platforms such as ITB-Berlin and WTM London and has been an active participant in commercial workshops across Southeast Asia and China. He currently serves as an Executive Board Committee Member of the Poona Hoteliers Association (PHA).

Radisson Hotel Group extends its congratulations to Pankaj Saxena on his well-deserved promotion and looks forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the company’s growth in West India.


Conrad Pune Appoints Subhadeep Saha as Rooms Division Manager

Conrad Pune Appoints Subhadeep Saha as Rooms Division Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on April 27, 2026

Conrad Pune has announced the appointment of Subhadeep Saha as Rooms Division Manager, reinforcing its leadership team in operations and guest experience.

With over 12 years of experience across multiple properties within Hilton, Subhadeep brings deep expertise in guest services, team leadership, and operational excellence. In his most recent role, he managed front office and health club operations in a high-volume MICE environment, where he drove improvements in loyalty engagement, guest satisfaction scores, and online reputation rankings.

His career includes key roles at leading Hilton properties such as DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru, Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum, and Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks, building a strong foundation in operational standards and cross-functional leadership.

In his new role at Conrad Pune, Subhadeep will oversee Rooms Division along with Wellness and Leisure operations, focusing on strengthening day-to-day efficiencies and enhancing guest satisfaction. His responsibilities will span the hotel’s 351 rooms, dining outlets, meeting spaces, and lifestyle facilities, ensuring seamless and consistent service delivery.

Sharing his thoughts, Subhadeep expressed enthusiasm about joining the property, highlighting his focus on collaboration, empathy, and team-driven leadership to create meaningful guest and colleague experiences.

Commenting on the appointment, Abhishek Sahai, General Manager, Conrad Pune, noted that Subhadeep’s operational expertise and people-first approach will play a key role in further elevating the hotel’s service standards.

This appointment reflects Conrad Pune’s continued focus on strengthening leadership capabilities while delivering refined and consistent luxury hospitality experiences.


Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Appoints Vikas Thakre as Assistant Manager – Reservations

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar Appoints Vikas Thakre as Assistant Manager – Reservations

By Hariharan U

Published on April 27, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar has announced the appointment of Vikas Ravi Thakre as Assistant Manager – Reservations, further strengthening its operational leadership.

With over six years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vikas brings a strong mix of reservations expertise, operational efficiency, and guest-focused service. In his new role, he will oversee the hotel’s reservations function, focusing on optimising booking channels, improving forecasting accuracy, and enhancing overall reservation performance.

Commenting on the appointment, Rahul Janve, General Manager, highlighted that Vikas’s understanding of reservation systems and ability to drive efficiency make him a valuable addition to the team.

Prior to joining the Mahabaleshwar property, Vikas was associated with Fairfield by Marriott Calangute, where he served as Assistant Manager – Reservations. During his tenure, he managed individual and group bookings, monitored room inventory, and collaborated closely with sales and front office teams. He also contributed to reservation reporting, booking trend analysis, and revenue optimisation strategies.

He began his journey at the same property as a Reservation Executive, where he played a key role in streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency. His earlier experience includes roles at The Fern Residency and Le Méridien Nagpur, where he developed a strong foundation in front office operations and guest relations.

Speaking on his new role, Vikas expressed enthusiasm about joining the team and contributing to seamless reservation experiences while maintaining high service standards.

Recognised for his consistent performance, he has received multiple accolades, including Employee of the Month and Associate of the Month awards. With proficiency in systems such as Opera, Marsha, and HPP, along with a strong analytical approach, he is well-positioned to further enhance the hotel’s reservations operations.


Foodlink Global Appoints Jayved Kumar as Head Chef in Dubai

Foodlink Global Appoints Jayved Kumar as Head Chef in Dubai

By Hariharan U

Published on April 27, 2026

Foodlink Global has announced the appointment of Jayved Kumar as Head Chef, reinforcing its culinary leadership in the Middle East region.

With over 15 years of experience, Chef Jayved brings a strong foundation in modern Indian cuisine, kitchen operations, and team leadership. Known for his ability to blend traditional flavours with contemporary techniques, he has built a reputation for delivering consistent quality across large-scale operations.

Prior to this role, he served as Unit Chef at PINCODE Restaurant by Chef Kunal Kapur, where he played a key role in menu innovation and guest satisfaction. His professional journey also includes tenures with Azure Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. and Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels, where he gained extensive experience in menu development, vendor management, and operational efficiency.

In his new role at Foodlink Global, Chef Jayved will oversee kitchen operations across Dubai, focusing on menu innovation, maintaining global hygiene and safety standards, and enhancing overall dining experiences. His expertise spans curry and tandoor specialities, fusion cuisine, and large-scale kitchen administration, supported by strong knowledge of HACCP compliance and quality audits.

Speaking on his appointment, Chef Jayved expressed enthusiasm about joining the brand, highlighting his intent to create innovative dining experiences that combine traditional Indian flavours with modern presentation and techniques.

This strategic appointment underscores Foodlink Global’s commitment to strengthening its culinary excellence and expanding its presence in the competitive Middle East hospitality landscape.

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