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By Nishang Narayan
Published on June 5, 2025
WHSmith India has appointed Shantanu Chakravartty as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director, marking a major milestone in its journey to redefine travel retail in India. A dynamic leader with more than 15 years of experience in the travel retail space, Shantanu steps into this role with an ambitious vision: to triple the company’s revenue and expand its store presence fivefold in the next four years.
Over the past seven years, Shantanu has already shaped WHSmith India’s most defining chapters. From navigating the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he helped safeguard over 20,000 jobs, to spearheading strategic digital upgrades, his impact has been both stabilizing and transformative.
“I’ve always believed disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger,” said Shantanu. “That’s why we created the Airport Services Association of India—to ensure the industry stayed resilient through 2020 and 2021.”
Today, WHSmith India operates 40 stores across India’s metro stations, airports, and university campuses. Under Shantanu’s leadership, the brand now aims to increase its footprint by 5x and grow revenue from ₹200 crores to ₹500 crores in the next three years.
“Retail is not just a business—it’s a platform to create livelihoods and opportunities,” he added. “Every new store we open is another chance for people to grow, thrive, and find a future in this industry.”
Beyond numbers, Shantanu’s strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience, merchandising logic, and supply chain excellence—transforming WHSmith stores into high-engagement retail hubs, even in short dwell-time locations like airports and stations.
“From business flyers to leisure travellers, our goal is convenience, consistency, and delight,” he said. “WHSmith stores are no longer just transit points—they’re travel companions.”
Known for his hands-on leadership, Shantanu is deeply invested in mentoring frontline teams and empowering staff feedback loops. He also serves pro bono as General Secretary of the Airport Services Association of India, playing a key role in shaping industry policies and promoting collaborative growth.
As India’s aviation industry gears up for exponential growth, WHSmith India is positioning itself to lead the charge—with tech-led operations, a people-first culture, and scalable infrastructure that meets the needs of tomorrow’s travellers.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on October 31, 2025
Novotel Guwahati GS Road has announced the appointment of Vineet Kumar Mishra as its new General Manager. With a remarkable career spanning over 19 years, Mishra brings extensive leadership experience from renowned hospitality brands such as Hilton, Radisson, Accor, and Lemon Tree Hotels.
Throughout his professional journey, he has successfully led diverse teams, driven operational excellence, and introduced guest-centric initiatives that reflect his deep passion for hospitality and service innovation. His strategic mindset and people-first approach have consistently contributed to enhanced guest satisfaction and sustainable business growth.
Sharing his excitement about the new role, Vineet Kumar Mishra said,
“As I step into this exciting new role, I look forward to continuing my journey with Accor and leading an incredible team, fostering a culture of excellence, and delivering memorable experiences for every guest at Novotel Guwahati GS Road.”
With Mishra’s appointment, Novotel Guwahati GS Road aims to strengthen its leadership team and reinforce its commitment to offering exceptional service and enriching guest experiences in the region.
Fortune Hotels, a member of the ITC Hotels Group, has announced the appointment of Satish Semwal as the General Manager of Fortune Park Haridwar.
A seasoned hotelier with over 18 years of experience, Semwal brings a proven track record in hotel operations, brand management, and service excellence. In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s operations with a focus on enhancing guest experiences and further strengthening the brand’s presence in the region.
Throughout his distinguished career, Semwal has held leadership positions across reputed hospitality brands including Lemon Tree Hotels, Sarovar Portico, Amatra Dunsvirk Court Mussoorie, Holiday Inn Katra, and Hilton Worldwide India.
Before joining Fortune Park Haridwar, he served as General Manager at Sarovar Portico Panipat, where he successfully improved operational performance and reinforced the hotel’s market position.
Known for his strong operational insight, people-first leadership style, and dedication to service quality, Satish Semwal is poised to play a key role in driving growth and excellence at Fortune Park Haridwar.
Published on October 30, 2025
Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Michael Bikash Gomes as its new Human Resources Manager. In this role, Michael will oversee the complete HR lifecycle at the property, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, employee relations, and labor law compliance.
Michael brings with him over nine years of experience in the hospitality sector, having previously served at Hyatt Place Hampi, where he successfully led HR operations and implemented the Hyatt People Philosophy with great success. His expertise in employee engagement, HR policy development, and compliance management is expected to further strengthen Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore’s human resources function and enrich the overall employee experience.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Michael Bikash Gomes said,
“Being back with the Hyatt Centric MG Road family makes me very happy! The warm welcome and support from everyone have warmed my heart. I'm thrilled to be back on such a vibrant team and am looking forward to developing, learning, and making memories with the Centric Circuit team. Cheers to a wonderful adventure!”
With Michael’s appointment, Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore continues to uphold its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, aligned with Hyatt’s core values of care, development, and well-being.
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