Phil Cordell, A Hilton Veteran, Retires After 40-Year Career

Phil Cordell, A Hilton Veteran, Retires After 40-Year Career

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 16, 2024

Phil Cordell, a seasoned executive with Hilton, is retiring after an impressive 40-year tenure with the company. Hilton has announced that Cordell will transition to an advisory role, starting in July, where he will mentor and coach the Hilton team.

Cordell’s journey with Hilton began in high school as a bellman. His dedication and hard work led him to become the general manager of the second Hampton Hotel in 1983. Over the next two decades, he played a pivotal role in expanding Hilton’s All Suites and Focused Service brands, particularly growing the Hampton by Hilton brand into a global leader with over 2,300 hotels in 29 countries by the end of his tenure.

Cordell was instrumental in launching the first Hampton hotel in China in 2015, showcasing his ability to adapt Hilton’s brand to international markets. His leadership extended beyond Hampton, contributing significantly to the success of other Hilton brands such as Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, and Homewood Suites.

In his latest role as Global Head of Lifestyle and New Brand Development, Cordell spearheaded the creation and launch of several innovative brands, including Home2 Suites, Tru, Motto, Tempo, and Spark. Notably, Spark achieved the fastest announcement-to-market timeline in Hilton’s history, debuting its first hotel just ten months after the brand was announced.

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Cordell’s departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to influence Hilton’s growth. Kevin Osterhaus, who recently joined Hilton as President of Global Lifestyle Brands, will succeed Cordell. Osterhaus will oversee the development of several Hilton brands, including Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Graduate by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Tempo by Hilton. Osterhaus brings experience from his previous role as President of Graduate Hotels, which Hilton acquired earlier this year.

Beyond brand development, Cordell played a crucial role in establishing the Hilton CleanStay program, which set new standards for cleanliness and safety during the pandemic. This initiative has been widely recognized for enhancing guest confidence and ensuring safe hotel stays.

Chris Silcock, Hilton’s President of Global Brands and Commercial Services, expressed gratitude for Cordell’s contributions in an internal letter: “As Phil transitions into an advisory role, let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude for his exceptional leadership, mentorship, and friendship. His legacy of innovation, growth, and genuine ‘Hamptonality’ service will continue to inspire us for years.”

Cordell’s career at Hilton is a testament to his dedication, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellence. His move to an advisory role will ensure that his experience and insights continue to benefit Hilton as the company evolves and expands.

Image Credit: Getty Images


The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments

The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru Strengthens Leadership with Key Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on September 30, 2025

 The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences has strengthened its leadership team with two key appointments, Uma Mahesh Rao as Executive Housekeeper and Siddharth Khurana as Front Office Manager. Both bring extensive expertise in luxury hospitality, marking a step forward in the hotel’s mission to deliver exceptional service and personalised guest experiences.

Uma Mahesh Rao, with over two decades of experience in housekeeping at top luxury hotels including The Orchid Mumbai, The Westin Mumbai Garden City, and JW Marriott Mumbai, has been recognised as Hotelier of the Year – Best Housekeeper (2018). At The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, he will lead housekeeping and laundry operations, continuing the brand’s legacy of operational excellence and guest satisfaction.

Siddharth Khurana joins as Front Office Manager, bringing experience across Hyatt Hotels in Gurgaon, Amritsar, New Delhi, and Ludhiana. Known for enhancing guest loyalty, service innovations, and managing large teams, he will oversee front office operations, ensuring seamless and personalised experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.

Virender Razdan, General Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome Uma Mahesh and Siddharth to our leadership team. Their passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our brand ethos. We are confident they will play a pivotal role in strengthening our guest experience and service standards.”

These appointments underline The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru’s dedication to maintaining world-class service, operational efficiency, and unparalleled luxury hospitality.

About The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences:
Located within Bengaluru’s Bhartiya City SEZ, the hotel features 281 elegantly appointed rooms designed for both business and leisure travellers. Dining options include Quattro (all-day dining), The Lotus Oriental (Pan-Asian cuisine), Falak (North Indian cuisine, ranked among Condé Nast Traveller 2023 top 27), and The Library Bar. Strategically near the IT corridor, Financial District, and the airport, the hotel is recognised for its luxury, convenience, and service excellence, earning accolades such as the Times Food & Nightlife Award and Travel + Leisure India’s Best Leisure Hotel.


The Ritz-Carlton Pune Elevates Sangram Raje to Director of Sales

The Ritz-Carlton Pune Elevates Sangram Raje to Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on September 29, 2025

The Ritz-Carlton, Pune has announced the elevation of Sangram Raje to director of sales. With more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, Raje brings a strong record of building client relationships, driving revenue, and positioning hotels as leading destinations.

In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of sales, marketing, and brand management, working closely with the senior leadership team to design and implement growth strategies. His promotion reflects his consistent performance, leadership skills, and ability to deliver results in a highly competitive market.

Raje joined The Ritz-Carlton, Pune in February 2024 and has since played a vital role in leading corporate sales, cross-selling Marriott Hotels across India, and building long-term partnerships with top corporate clients. His efforts have significantly boosted revenue, enhanced guest satisfaction, and strengthened the hotel’s reputation among both business and leisure travellers.

Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, he served as associate director of sales at The Westin, Pune Koregaon Park. His career also includes sales roles at Marriott Suites Pune, JW Marriott Pune, and Spice Jet Airlines, giving him a diverse background in both hospitality and aviation.

His elevation highlights The Ritz-Carlton’s commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding leadership that contributes to its continued growth as a luxury brand in India.


Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Lakshmi Nandagopal as Director of Human Resources

Hyatt Regency Chennai Promotes Lakshmi Nandagopal as Director of Human Resources

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 29, 2025

Hyatt Regency Chennai has announced the promotion of Lakshmi Nandagopal to the role of Director of Human Resources, marking a significant milestone in her two-decade-long career in people management and organisational excellence. In her new capacity, she will focus on strategic workforce planning, employee well-being, leadership development, and nurturing an inclusive workplace culture that empowers associates to excel.

Nandagopal joined Hyatt Regency Chennai in January 2023 as Human Resources Manager, and within a short span, she has made a remarkable impact. Known for her strategic vision and empathetic leadership, she has successfully driven initiatives in talent acquisition, workforce engagement, payroll management, and succession planning. Her proactive approach in fostering transparency, inclusivity, and professional growth has established her as a trusted leader within the organisation.

Her career reflects a strong passion for people development and aligning HR strategies with business goals. Prior to Hyatt, she held leadership positions with Radisson Blu City Centre, Holiday Inn OMR IT Expressway (IHG Group), The Ascott Limited – Somerset Greenways Chennai, and Marriott International. Across these roles, she has played a pivotal role in shaping high-performance teams, improving employee morale, and building robust HR practices that enhanced both satisfaction and success.

Nandagopal’s track record includes leading large-scale recruitment drives, introducing associate welfare programmes such as food festivals, sports events, and Celebrate Service Week, and creating communication forums that connected associates with leadership. She has also championed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, strengthening the hotel’s community ties. Her ability to manage two pre-opening hotels while delivering HR projects on schedule further highlights her organisational skills and dedication.

Commenting on her promotion, Ruban Das, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Chennai, said, “Lakshmi’s leadership is rooted in empathy, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to people. Her promotion is not only a recognition of her past achievements but also a reflection of the trust we place in her to lead our Human Resources function into an exciting future. We are confident that she will continue to inspire associates and contribute immensely to the hotel’s success.”

With this promotion, Hyatt Regency Chennai reinforces its commitment to fostering leadership from within and creating an empowering workplace culture for its associates.

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