Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel has announced the elevation of Stephen George as its Director of Operations, further strengthening the hotel's leadership team. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Stephen takes on the new role after serving as Director of Food & Beverage, where he made significant contributions to the hotel's operational performance, guest satisfaction and business growth.

In his new position, Stephen will work closely with the General Manager to oversee day-to-day hotel operations, enhance business performance, improve guest experiences and ensure operational excellence across all departments while maintaining Marriott and Renaissance brand standards.

Since joining the hotel in 2024, Stephen has played an important role in driving the growth of the food and beverage business, managing large-scale events, supporting the hotel's renovation journey and building a strong, high-performing team culture.

Before joining Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, he held leadership roles with leading hospitality brands including Hyatt, Club Mahindra, Al Raha Beach Hotel Abu Dhabi and Park Hyatt Goa, bringing extensive operational expertise to his new position.

Speaking on his elevation, Stephen George, Director of Operations, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, said:

"It is a privilege to take on this role at a hotel that has been an important part of my professional journey. I look forward to working with our teams to build on our strong foundation, drive operational excellence and create memorable guest experiences while supporting the hotel's continued growth."

Welcoming him to his new role, Sita Lekshmi, General Manager, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, said:

"Stephen has consistently demonstrated strong operational leadership, a collaborative approach and a deep understanding of our business. His elevation reflects the confidence we have in his ability to lead the hotel into its next phase of growth while continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests."

With this leadership elevation, Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel continues to invest in developing internal talent while reinforcing its focus on operational excellence and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

THE OZEN COLLECTION has announced the appointment of Abnash Kumar as General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, reinforcing its leadership team as the ultra-luxury Maldivian resort enters a new phase of operational refinement, guest experience enhancement, and sustainable growth.

With more than 20 years of international hospitality experience, Kumar brings extensive expertise in luxury hotel operations, strategic planning, project management, business development, and sustainability. His career spans prestigious hospitality destinations across the United States, South Africa, India, and the Maldives, where he has successfully led operations at renowned luxury properties.

Known for his people-centric leadership style and commitment to operational excellence, Kumar has built a reputation for elevating guest experiences through service innovation, strong team culture, and sustainable hospitality practices. During his previous leadership assignments in the Maldives, he spearheaded award-winning initiatives recognised globally for their innovation and environmentally responsible design.

Commenting on the appointment, Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer of Atmosphere Core, said Kumar's extensive international experience and passion for guest satisfaction, people development, and operational excellence align closely with THE OZEN COLLECTION's philosophy of Refined Elegance. He expressed confidence that Kumar's leadership would further elevate the personalised luxury experiences offered at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI.

Sharing his thoughts on joining the resort, Kumar said it is a privilege to lead OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI at an exciting stage of its journey. He noted that the brand's commitment to authentic and sustainable luxury strongly resonates with his own values and expressed his enthusiasm for working alongside the team to enhance guest experiences while continuing to build a culture of excellence.

As General Manager, Kumar will oversee all aspects of the resort's operations, with a focus on strengthening service standards, nurturing talent, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing sustainability initiatives. His appointment comes as THE OZEN COLLECTION continues its international expansion strategy while deepening its commitment to regenerative tourism across its portfolio.

Kumar holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from Mumbai and a Diploma from Rizvi College of Hotel Management. His appointment reflects THE OZEN COLLECTION's continued investment in experienced leadership as it strengthens its position in the global luxury hospitality sector.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road has announced the appointment of Karan Singhal as its new Marketing & Communications Manager. With more than six years of experience in hospitality marketing and communications, he joins the hotel with expertise in brand communications, digital marketing, public relations, social media and integrated marketing campaigns.

In his new role, Karan will lead the hotel's marketing and communications strategy, focusing on experience-led campaigns, strengthening brand positioning and enhancing guest engagement across accommodation, dining and hospitality experiences. He will also work towards elevating the hotel's food and beverage offerings through distinctive campaigns, collaborations and experiential concepts, while driving digital visibility, media outreach and audience engagement.

His responsibilities will further include building strategic partnerships and developing integrated marketing initiatives that reinforce the hotel's presence within Bengaluru's competitive hospitality and dining landscape.

Karan began his career with Eleven Inc, a Gurugram-based integrated hospitality marketing agency, before moving to Novotel & Ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, where he served as Complex Marketing & Communications Executive. He later joined Hyatt Regency Ludhiana as Assistant Manager – Marketing & Communications. Before taking up his new role, he was associated with The LaLiT Chandigarh as Assistant Manager – Marketing & Communications, leading the hotel's marketing and communications function.

Commenting on the appointment, Akash Kalia, General Manager, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Karan to DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road. His experience across hospitality marketing, coupled with his understanding of brand communications and the evolving digital landscape, will be instrumental in strengthening the hotel’s presence in the market. His creative approach and focus on experience-led storytelling align with our vision of creating meaningful and memorable guest experiences. We look forward to his contribution as we further strengthen the hotel’s positioning and bring fresh energy to our dining and hospitality experiences.”

Karan holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management Aurangabad and an MBA in Marketing from Manipal University Jaipur.

With a digital-first mindset and a passion for hospitality storytelling, Karan will focus on building stronger connections between the brand and its audiences through engaging campaigns and innovative experiences that support the hotel's continued growth in the Bengaluru market.