DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has announced the appointment of Naveen Raaj as its new Operations Manager. With over 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he brings a strong focus on guest experience and operational excellence to the role.

Over the years, Naveen has built a reputation within Hilton Hotels & Resorts across India for consistently delivering high guest satisfaction. His journey reflects a deep understanding of hospitality standards along with a genuine interest in creating meaningful and memorable experiences for guests.

Before stepping into this role, Naveen was associated with Conrad Pune as the Rooms Division Manager, where he played a key role in enhancing guest experience and improving service performance. He also serves as the Regional Quality Champion for South Asia Hilton Hotels, contributing to maintaining service benchmarks across the region.

Naveen began his career with Hilton Chennai and steadily progressed through various roles, contributing to operational improvements and service standards at properties such as Conrad Pune, DoubleTree Ahmedabad, and DoubleTree Suites Bangalore. He has also completed Hilton's SHINE Leadership Development Programme, one of the brand’s most recognised training initiatives.

His contributions to the industry have earned him several recognitions. These include Director of Rooms of the Year 2025 for Luxury Hotels in India by Hotelier India, along with being a finalist for the same category by BW Hotelier India. He was also awarded Front Office Manager of the Year 2024 for Luxury Hotel by Hotelier India. Additionally, he received the title of “Leader of the Year 2024” at Conrad Pune and “Manager of the Year 2020” at Hilton Chennai.

Welcoming him to the team, Nitin Pathak, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, said, “We are delighted to welcome onboard Mr. Naveen Raaj to the team. His strong industry experience, people-centric approach, and commitment to excellence, align seamlessly with our brand values. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our positioning as a preferred hospitality destination in Gurugram.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Naveen Raaj said, “I am excited to join DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square and be part of a brand known for its warm hospitality and guest-first philosophy. I look forward to working with the team to further elevate guest experiences and contribute to the hotel’s continued success.”

MRG Group has appointed Sujata Gowda as Group General Manager – Marketing & Communications, strengthening its leadership team as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

With over 19 years of experience across airlines, hospitality, real estate, and media, Sujata brings a well-rounded understanding of brand building and strategic communication. Over the years, she has worked with leading names such as Sahara Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, Taj Hotels, IHG, and Marriott International.

Her career has included key roles in pre-opening hotel projects across cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad, before moving to Bengaluru. Beyond hospitality, she has also built experience in media and partnerships, most recently serving as Regional Head – Brand & Partnership at Times Internet Limited, where she worked on strategic collaborations linked to a major card launch with ICICI Bank.

Sujata’s expertise spans multiple areas including sales, marketing, operations, brand strategy, media planning, corporate communications, and team management. Her strong relationships across print, electronic, and digital media are expected to support the group’s efforts to expand its brand presence and reach.

Sharing her thoughts on the new role, Sujata Gowda said, “A new fresh start is always nerve-recking and exciting at the same time. Marketing & communication in today's day and age is a pivotal role. I couldn't have joined MRG Group at a better time as this is going to be the year of expansion, dynamic changes and accelerated growth. Extremely excited to collate my 19 years of expertise with fostering collaborations with existing teams as the best time for new beginning is NOW.”

With this appointment, MRG Group continues to invest in experienced leadership as it looks to scale operations and strengthen its market positioning.

Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has appointed Ashish Singh as Director of Sales, strengthening its leadership team as it continues to expand its presence in Bengaluru’s competitive hospitality market.

With over 13 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development, Singh brings a strong track record of driving revenue growth, identifying new business opportunities, and building long-term client relationships across corporate and MICE segments.

He joins from The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore, where he served as Director of Catering and played a key role in managing high-impact events while improving catering performance. His journey with the brand also included roles such as Assistant Director of Sales and Senior Sales Manager, reflecting his steady growth and deep understanding of market trends.

Singh’s experience also includes working with leading hospitality brands like Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru and The Park Hotels, giving him a well-rounded perspective on sales leadership in urban markets.

In his new role, he will lead the property’s sales strategy with a focus on driving growth, strengthening corporate relationships, and expanding market share. His responsibilities will include building strategic partnerships, improving revenue streams, and positioning the hotel as a preferred choice for business travel and large-scale events.

With this appointment, Hilton & Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park continues to invest in experienced talent, further strengthening its position in Bengaluru’s growing hospitality landscape