Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

Shridhar Nair Takes the Helm at The Leela Ambience Gurugram as Senior VP and GM

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 29, 2024

The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has appointed Shridhar Nair as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager. In this role, Nair will be based in Gurugram, where he will oversee operations not only at The Leela Ambience Gurugram but also at several other key properties, including The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, The Leela Gandhinagar, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre Complex, and The Imperial Club by The Leela.

Nair brings a wealth of experience to his new position, having held leadership roles at various Leela properties, including as General Manager of the award-winning The Leela Goa. His previous role as Senior Vice President of Operations at The Leela Corporate Office saw him managing and optimizing the performance of multiple properties within the group.

Throughout his career, Nair has been known for his visionary leadership and ability to spearhead significant projects, such as the repositioning of the F&B division at The Leela Mumbai and the enhancement of The Leela Goa. His leadership has earned him several prestigious awards, including Best GM—Luxury from Hotelier India in 2014, along with accolades from HOSI in 2015, CII in 2016, and Business World in 2017.

image

Nair’s extensive experience is complemented by a strong academic background, which includes a postgraduate diploma in Hotel Management from IHM Trivandrum, a Bachelor of Arts from Mumbai University, and a General Manager’s certification from Cornell University, USA.

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Nair said, “I am delighted at the opportunity to work closely with our teams at the iconic Leela Ambience Gurugram & Leela Ambience Convention Hotel to offer a holistic luxury experience to our guests. I am certain The Leela’s core value of Athiti Devo Bhava (guest is god) will resonate in everything we do at our majestic hotels, and we will continue to push our boundaries to exceed our guests’ expectations from the world’s best brand, which exemplifies true Indian luxury.”

With Shridhar Nair at the helm, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences is set to continue its tradition of excellence in luxury hospitality, with a renewed focus on enhancing guest experiences across all touchpoints.


Sheraton Hyderabad Elevates Sourav Pal Chowdhury to Director of Food & Beverage

Sheraton Hyderabad Elevates Sourav Pal Chowdhury to Director of Food & Beverage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2026

Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel has announced the elevation of Sourav Pal Chowdhury to the role of Director of Food & Beverage. He steps into this position after a successful stint as Assistant Director, where he played an important role in strengthening the hotel’s food and beverage operations.

With close to 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sourav has worked with well-known global brands such as Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. At Sheraton Hyderabad, he is recognised for his attention to detail and a people-first approach, both of which have helped enhance guest experiences while building strong team engagement.

In his new role, he will lead the overall strategy and operations of the hotel’s F&B division. This includes overseeing popular dining venues like Feast and Zega, along with banqueting, in-room dining and Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels. His focus will remain on maintaining consistency in service, improving guest satisfaction and supporting steady business growth.

Commenting on his elevation, Sourav Pal Chowdhury said:

"I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the leadership team. I strongly believe that consistency in quality and service remains key, even in a dynamic market. I look forward to contributing further to the hotel’s growth and delivering meaningful dining experiences for our guests."

This move highlights Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel’s continued focus on recognising internal talent and strengthening its position as a preferred hospitality destination in the region.


Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Tara Gurung as Vice President – Human Resources

Summit Hotels & Resorts Appoints Tara Gurung as Vice President – Human Resources

By Hariharan U

Published on May 6, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Tara Gurung as Vice President – Human Resources, reinforcing its focus on building a strong, people-first organisation as it continues to expand its presence across the Eastern Himalayan region.

Tara Gurung brings with her extensive experience across leading hospitality brands, with a career shaped by a deep understanding of human capital, organisational culture, and leadership development. She has previously worked with global hotel groups such as Marriott International and Radisson Blu, where she led human resources and learning and development functions across multiple properties and clusters.

Her professional journey reflects a consistent focus on nurturing talent, building high-performing teams, and creating structured learning environments that support both individual growth and organisational success. With strong expertise in training, employee engagement, and team development, she brings a balanced perspective that combines operational insight with long-term people strategy.

In her new role, Tara will oversee the human resources function across Summit’s growing portfolio, with a focus on strengthening organisational culture, building leadership pipelines, and aligning people practices with the brand’s broader growth ambitions. Her leadership is expected to play a key role in supporting the company’s expansion while ensuring a strong and cohesive workplace culture.

Commenting on the appointment, Sumit Mitruka said, “We are extremely proud to welcome Tara back to her home region. At Summit, we strongly believe in building a homegrown organisation, and it is a matter of pride for us when talented professionals choose to return and contribute to the growth of this region. As we expand our footprint across the Himalayan belt, our focus is not just on building hotels, but on creating meaningful employment opportunities and strong career paths closer to home. I would like to encourage hospitality professionals from the Himalayan region, who may be working away from their families, to explore opportunities back here. The region today offers immense growth potential, and together we can build a vibrant, sustainable hospitality ecosystem.”

Tara Gurung’s appointment comes at a time when Summit Hotels & Resorts is steadily expanding across key destinations, with a continued focus on operational consistency and long-term brand building. Her addition to the leadership team reflects the company’s commitment to evolving its organisational culture alongside its growth journey.


Shyam Nair Appointed Multi-Property HR Director Across Marriott Kochi Portfolio

Shyam Nair Appointed Multi-Property HR Director Across Marriott Kochi Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on May 6, 2026

Kochi Marriott Hotel has announced the elevation of Shyam Nair as Multi-Property Human Resources Director, overseeing HR functions across three key properties, Kochi Marriott Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport, and Port Muziris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

With a career spanning over three decades, Shyam brings a unique blend of experience to the role. He served for 20 years in the Indian Air Force before transitioning into hospitality, where he has spent the last 16 years building expertise in leadership, operations, and people management. Armed with an MBA in HR and Operations, his professional journey reflects a strong foundation in both discipline and strategic thinking.

During his tenure with the Marriott portfolio in Kochi, Shyam has held the position of Multi-Property Director of Loss Prevention, where he played a key role in ensuring operational safety and efficiency. His transition into human resources has been marked by a focus on strengthening recruitment processes, enhancing training frameworks, and streamlining administrative and HR functions across properties.

Beyond core HR responsibilities, Shyam has also been actively involved in driving sustainability initiatives. He has led several green practices, including waste reduction programmes and community engagement efforts aimed at promoting environmental awareness. These initiatives not only align with global brand priorities but also reinforce the properties’ commitment to responsible hospitality.

In his new role, Shyam will lead strategic HR functions including recruitment, compensation management, training and development, employee engagement, and retention. His leadership is expected to further strengthen workplace culture while supporting the continued growth and performance of the Marriott portfolio in Kochi.

This appointment reflects a continued emphasis on strong internal leadership and the importance of people-focused strategies in driving long-term success within the hospitality sector.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.