Le Méridien Navi Mumbai has announced the appointment of Mr. Firoz Sarwar as Director of Sales at the newly launched property. With more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Firoz brings deep expertise in sales and business development strategy, revenue generation, and leading high-performance teams.

Known for his strategic business acumen, attention to detail, and collaborative leadership style, Firoz has played a key role in driving market expansion and brand growth across several leading luxury hotel portfolios. His professional journey includes associations with renowned hospitality brands such as Marriott, Accor, and The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts.

An MBA (Marketing) institute topper and scholarship holder, with a B.E. in Information Technology, Firoz blends strong analytical skills with a solid understanding of market dynamics. He began his hospitality career with The Leela Goa (now The St. Regis Goa) and later contributed significantly to the grand launch of Accor’s first luxury hotel in India, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, supporting its successful positioning in the market.

Prior to his new role, Firoz served as Associate Director of Sales at Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, where he led sales teams across Mumbai, Pune, and Mahabaleshwar. His focused approach towards developing the wedding and social events segment resulted in notable revenue growth and strengthened the resort’s overall market presence.

In his new role at Le Méridien Navi Mumbai, Firoz will lead sales strategy and business development initiatives, with a focus on positioning the hotel as a premium urban lifestyle destination. His responsibilities will include driving sustainable revenue growth and market share, enhancing brand visibility, and contributing to an elevated guest experience.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Saurabh Chowdhury, General Manager, Le Méridien Navi Mumbai, said, “We are happy to welcome Firoz to Le Méridien Navi Mumbai. His understanding of the market, strong sales leadership and experience with some of the finest hospitality brands make him a great fit for our team. As we build the hotel’s presence in the city, his perspective and energy will be key to our journey ahead.”

Speaking on his appointment, Mr. Firoz Sarwar shared, “It’s an exciting time to join Le Méridien Navi Mumbai at the very start of its story. The brand’s creative spirit, combined with the scale and potential of this market, is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to shaping strong relationships, building momentum and creating a distinct sales narrative that positions the hotel as a dynamic urban lifestyle destination.”

Outside of work, Firoz enjoys long drives, exploring new destinations, and has a keen interest in advanced astrology. His appointment marks a new chapter for Le Méridien Navi Mumbai as the hotel strengthens its leadership team and market presence.

JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Utami Indah Dewi as Director of Spa & Recreation. In her new role, Dewi will lead the vision, strategy, and daily operations of the resort’s spa, wellness, fitness, and recreational offerings, further strengthening its position as a destination for holistic luxury and well-being.

Dewi will be responsible for enhancing guest engagement, driving financial performance, nurturing high-performing teams, and continuously evolving the resort’s wellness ecosystem in line with global luxury and wellness trends.

With over a decade of international experience in luxury hospitality, Dewi brings a global perspective shaped by her work across the Maldives, the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Her professional journey from spa therapist to senior leadership roles reflects a strong hands-on understanding of spa operations, combined with commercial insight and people leadership.

She has previously held leadership positions with several globally respected hospitality brands, including One&Only The Palm, Dubai; Hilton; Waldorf Astoria; Fairmont; and Sun Siyam Resorts. Her expertise includes managing large multi-treatment-room spas, curating and launching innovative wellness menus, leading diverse therapist and front-office teams, and maintaining high standards of health, safety, and hygiene.

Trained in Ayurveda, Dewi also holds a diploma in spa therapy along with multiple leadership and wellness certifications, further strengthening her holistic approach to wellness management.

Commenting on the appointment, Ronan Fearon, General Manager, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa, said, “Wellness is one of the key pillars of the property’s philosophy, and Utami’s extensive global exposure, combined with her deep understanding of holistic spa and recreation operations, makes her an invaluable addition to our leadership team. We are confident that under her guidance, our wellness offerings will continue to evolve delivering thoughtful, immersive experiences that resonate with today’s discerning luxury traveller and reinforce our commitment to mindful living.”

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Somrup Chanda as its General Manager, effective 09 January 2026. The appointment marks a significant step as the property looks to strengthen its leadership and operational excellence.

Somrup Chanda brings with him over two decades of rich and diverse experience in the hospitality industry, having worked with leading hotel brands across India and the Middle East. His professional expertise spans hotel operations, revenue maximization, marketing, customer experience, and pre-opening projects.

He began his hospitality journey with Hyatt in Food and Beverage and steadily progressed through renowned brands such as Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt, and Hyatt Regency. His career with Marriott International includes playing a key role in launching India’s first Sheraton Grand. He also contributed significantly to the pre-opening and rebranding of Indore Marriott Hotel, where several award-winning concepts were introduced to the market.

Somrup’s professional journey further includes leadership roles with Accor in Kolkata and IHG in Abu Dhabi, adding global exposure to his profile before his return to India.

In 2023, he took on the role of Director of Operations at Bangalore Marriott Hotel Whitefield. During his tenure, he successfully stabilized operations, improved guest satisfaction levels, enhanced revenue performance, and positioned the hotel as Karnataka’s largest single-branded property.

With his extensive experience and people-focused leadership style, Somrup Chanda is expected to drive operational efficiency and guest-centric growth at Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata.