Pradeep Shetty Elected as FHRAI President: New Leadership for India's Hospitality Industry

Pradeep Shetty Elected as FHRAI President: New Leadership for India's Hospitality Industry

By Author

Published on October 3, 2023

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is proud to announce its new President, Mr. Pradeep Shetty, Director of Maharaja Hotels, Mumbai. Elected unanimously, Mr. Shetty will officially assume office on January 1, 2024. His extensive experience and dedication to the industry make him the ideal candidate for this crucial role.

Having previously served as Vice President and actively contributed to FHRAI for over a decade, Mr. Shetty is also the current President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI). In his statement, Mr. Shetty outlined several key priorities for his tenure as FHRAI President.

A Vision for the Future

Mr. Shetty expressed a commitment to engage with the government to create a more favorable regulatory framework for the hospitality sector. He highlighted the pressing need for the sector to receive infrastructure status, which would facilitate long-term loans at competitive interest rates, ultimately accelerating sector growth.

Furthermore, Mr. Shetty emphasized the importance of additional stimulus packages and incentives from the government. These are essential to enable the sector to achieve its ambitious goal of welcoming 100 million international tourists by 2047. This includes favorable GST (Goods and Services Tax) policies and measures to ease doing business in the hospitality sector.

Beyond these priorities, Mr. Shetty also addressed challenges such as music copyright issues, service charges, and concerns related to anti-competitive activities by major tech companies.

New Office Bearers

During the FHRAI's 67th Annual General Meeting held on September 28, 2023, new office bearers were elected. Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, Mr. K Nagaraju, and Mr. T S Walia were elected as Vice Presidents from different regional associations. Additionally, Mr. DVS Somaraju was elected as Honorary Treasurer, and Mr. Nirav Gandhi as Honorary Secretary. Mr. Sudesh Kumar Poddar and Mr. Amarvir Singh will serve as Joint Honorary Secretaries of the Federation.

Mr. Shetty's election represents a new chapter for FHRAI, and his commitment to the industry's growth and success is evident. Together with the new office bearers, he aims to lead the organization toward a future of excellence, innovation, and growth in India's hospitality sector.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Appoints Dr. Nisarga V M as Spa Manager

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Appoints Dr. Nisarga V M as Spa Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 26, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has announced the appointment of Dr. Nisarga V M as its new Spa Manager, reinforcing its focus on delivering elevated wellness experiences through Spa by JW. Known as the "Gateway to Mumbai," the hotel offers bespoke therapies and immersive wellness journeys centred around the brand's four signature pillars—Calm, Nourish, Balance and Renew.

In her new role, Dr. Nisarga will oversee the day-to-day operations of Spa by JW, including wellness programming, spa operations, guest experience, and team development. She will also lead efforts to further enhance the hotel's personalised wellness offerings, ensuring every guest experience reflects the brand's core philosophy of holistic well-being.

Dr. Nisarga brings more than five years of experience in luxury spa and wellness operations across leading hospitality brands, including IHCL (Taj Hotels). During her career, she has held key leadership roles at Taj Alibag Resort & Spa, Taj Theog Resort & Spa, Taj Devi Ratn, Jaipur, where she was part of the pre-opening team, and Golden Palms Resort & Spa, Bengaluru. Across these assignments, she has driven operational excellence, curated wellness programmes, built high-performing teams, and consistently delivered exceptional guest experiences.

Speaking on her appointment, Dr. Nisarga V M, Spa Manager, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, said, "I am delighted to join JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and be a part of a brand that places genuine emphasis on holistic well-being. Wellness has become an integral part of the luxury hospitality experience and I look forward to collaborating with the team to further elevate the Spa by JW experience with wellness programmes and experiences that resonate with the evolving needs of today's guests."


Gulshan Group Appoints Pankaj Singh as Chief Financial Officer

Gulshan Group Appoints Pankaj Singh as Chief Financial Officer

By Hariharan U

Published on July 25, 2026

Gulshan Group, a leading real estate developer in North India, has announced the appointment of Pankaj Singh as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its residential and commercial portfolio.

In his new role, Singh will be responsible for leading the company’s financial strategy, treasury operations, compliance framework, and risk management functions. He will also play a key role in strengthening financial governance, supporting capital allocation decisions, and contributing to Gulshan Group’s long-term growth strategy.

With extensive experience in the real estate sector, Pankaj Singh brings expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, business operations, and organisational growth. Prior to joining Gulshan Group, he held leadership roles at organisations including DMI (OKAS Real Estate) and ATS Infrastructure, where he contributed to key financial initiatives focused on improving business performance and operational efficiency.

Commenting on the appointment, a senior spokesperson at Gulshan Group said, "At Gulshan Group, we believe that strong leadership is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. We are delighted to welcome Mr. Pankaj Singh as our Chief Financial Officer. With his proven expertise in finance, strategic planning, and operational excellence, we are confident that he will further strengthen our financial foundation as we scale our business and diversify our portfolio."

Speaking on his appointment, Pankaj Singh, Chief Financial Officer, Gulshan Group, said, "I am excited to join Gulshan Group and contribute to its next phase of growth. I look forward to strengthening the company's financial capabilities and working closely with the leadership team to drive sustainable, value-led growth."

With this appointment, Gulshan Group aims to further enhance its financial capabilities and strengthen its growth roadmap across residential, commercial, retail, and mixed-use developments.

Established with over three decades of experience, Gulshan Group has built a strong presence in India’s real estate sector through customer-focused developments, quality construction, and design-led urban spaces. The company continues to develop premium residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across North India.


ibis Hyderabad HITEC City Appoints Rajesh Dudi as Director of Sales

ibis Hyderabad HITEC City Appoints Rajesh Dudi as Director of Sales

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

ibis Hyderabad HITEC City has announced the appointment of Rajesh Dudi as Director of Sales, strengthening the hotel’s commercial leadership as it continues to expand its presence in one of India’s fastest-growing business destinations.

With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rajesh brings extensive expertise in sales leadership, business development, revenue generation, and commercial strategy. Throughout his career, he has worked with Accor and several leading hospitality brands, building a strong track record of driving business growth across diverse markets.

In his new role, Rajesh will oversee the hotel’s overall sales and commercial strategy, with a focus on expanding corporate and travel trade partnerships, identifying new business opportunities, and strengthening ibis Hyderabad HITEC City’s presence across key market segments. He will also work closely with the leadership team to drive sustainable revenue growth while supporting the hotel’s long-term business objectives.

Commenting on the appointment, Tejus Jose, Director of Operations, ibis and ibis Styles India, said, "Rajesh brings with him a wealth of commercial expertise and a proven ability to deliver consistent business results across a wide range of hospitality brands. His deep understanding of the Hyderabad market, combined with his experience in leading successful sales teams and building long-term client partnerships, makes him a valuable addition to the ibis Hyderabad team. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen the hotel's commercial performance while enhancing its position in one of India's most competitive hospitality markets."

Rajesh began his hospitality career in food and beverage operations before transitioning into sales, where he steadily advanced into senior commercial leadership roles. Over the years, he has led corporate account management, business development, revenue generation, and pre-opening initiatives across multiple hospitality brands.

His contributions to commercial excellence have earned him industry recognitions, including the Asia Pacific Sales Leader of the Year and Asia Pacific Best Sales Leader awards.

Before joining ibis Hyderabad HITEC City, Rajesh headed the sales and marketing function for a leading entertainment destination, where he played a key role in expanding business from meetings, conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events. He also focused on developing strategic partnerships and creating new revenue opportunities across the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Speaking on his appointment, Rajesh Dudi said: "I am excited to join ibis Hyderabad at a time when the city continues to grow as an important business and travel destination. ibis has earned the trust of travellers through its reliable and modern hospitality, and I look forward to working with the team to build on that foundation. My focus will be on strengthening our corporate relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting sustainable growth while continuing to deliver great experiences for our guests."

The appointment reflects ibis’ continued focus on strengthening its commercial leadership as the brand expands across India, reinforcing ibis Hyderabad HITEC City’s commitment to delivering sustained business growth and enhanced guest experiences.

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