Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse and Holiday Inn Express OMR, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, have announced the appointment of Karen Martin as Cluster Assistant Marketing Manager, effective January, 2026. In her new role, Karen will oversee brand management and integrated marketing communications, playing a key role in supporting the hotels’ strategic objectives and strengthening their market presence.

Karen brings over six years of experience across public relations, marketing communications and the hospitality sector. Her background reflects a strong understanding of brand storytelling, consumer engagement and integrated campaign execution. She has worked extensively on developing purposeful narratives, driving brand visibility and delivering marketing initiatives aligned with both business and brand goals.

Her career in marketing communications has been shaped by a strategic mindset combined with hands-on experience across traditional and digital platforms, allowing her to navigate evolving communication channels with clarity and consistency.

Speaking on the appointment, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse & Raphael Rodrigues, General Manager of Holiday Inn Express OMR said, “We are delighted to welcome Karen to the team. Her zeal for marketing will augur well with the hotels objectives to juxtapose branded offerings with sensory style statements and make hospitality relevant for our guests”.

Commenting on her appointment, Karen said, “I’m excited to take on this role. The brand’s focus on people, purpose, and guest experience strongly resonates with me. I look forward to contributing to impactful marketing initiatives that strengthen brand presence and support the hotels continued growth.”

Shilton Hospitality has announced the appointment of Antony Rohan Parish as corporate chef for its Watson’s Cantina brand, marking a strategic move to strengthen the brand’s culinary direction and operational consistency across outlets.

In his new role, Parish will lead Watson’s Cantina’s overall culinary strategy, with a focus on menu development, brand consistency, kitchen efficiency and guest-centric dining experiences. A key part of his mandate includes the creation of an authentic yet contemporary Latin American–inspired menu, aimed at further reinforcing the brand’s culinary identity.

Parish brings with him over 28 years of experience across hospitality, corporate food operations and international cruise lines. His career spans senior leadership roles in diverse environments, where he has overseen high-volume kitchens, multi-unit operations and large culinary teams.

His professional journey includes roles such as vice president – operations at Trip Villas International Pvt. Ltd., corporate chef at MRG Group, and senior sous chef with Carnival Cruise Inc., Miami. Across these positions, Parish has built a reputation for operational discipline, culinary innovation and team leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Antony Rohan Parish said, “I am excited to join Shilton Hospitality and take on the responsibility of shaping Watson’s Cantina’s culinary journey. I look forward to working closely with the teams to build a strong, consistent and guest-focused food experience that supports the brand’s growth and vision.”

The appointment is expected to support Watson’s Cantina’s expansion plans while ensuring a cohesive dining experience rooted in bold flavours and contemporary Latin American influences

Tmt. J. Innocent Divya, IAS, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), marking an important leadership transition for the state’s tourism sector.

Prior to taking charge of tourism, J. Innocent Divya served as Commissioner of Technical Education, where she played a key role in policy execution, institutional strengthening and administrative reforms. Her tenure in the education department was marked by a focus on governance efficiency and system-level improvements.

With her experience across public administration and policy implementation, the appointment is expected to bring a renewed strategic approach to tourism development in Tamil Nadu. The state’s tourism ecosystem, which spans heritage, culture, coastal destinations and emerging experiential travel, stands to benefit from a leadership focus on innovation, infrastructure coordination and visitor-centric initiatives.

As Commissioner and MD of TTDC, J. Innocent Divya will oversee tourism promotion, destination development and operational initiatives aimed at enhancing Tamil Nadu’s position as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. Her administrative background is also expected to support stronger inter-departmental coordination and sustainable growth of the sector.