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.

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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.


Ravi Patil Appointed Director of Engineering at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

Ravi Patil Appointed Director of Engineering at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 19, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar has appointed Ravi Patil as Director of Engineering, strengthening its leadership team with a focus on operational excellence, sustainability and infrastructure management. With over 16 years of experience across luxury hospitality, Patil will oversee the property's engineering operations, technical services, asset management and infrastructure development.

In his new role, Patil will focus on improving operational efficiency, strengthening preventive maintenance practices, advancing sustainability initiatives and ensuring the long-term performance of the property's infrastructure. He will also be responsible for supporting the smooth functioning of the hotel's technical operations.

Before joining JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Patil served as Director of Engineering at The Westin Mumbai Garden City. He has also held engineering leadership positions with Marriott International across Mumbai and Pune. His international hospitality experience includes roles at Fairmont Dubai and Fairmont Hamilton Princess in Bermuda.

Known for his attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Patil has led engineering teams and managed maintenance, refurbishment and infrastructure initiatives. His work has focused on improving reliability, maintaining safety standards, enhancing energy efficiency and optimising resource use.

Speaking about his appointment, Ravi Patil said, "Engineering in hospitality is about creating systems that are reliable, efficient and sustainable, while ensuring they work seamlessly in the background to support the guest experience. I look forward to bringing this approach to JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar and working with the team to further strengthen its operational and engineering standards."


Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Appoints Ramkumar Arumugam as Chief Engineer

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa Appoints Ramkumar Arumugam as Chief Engineer

By Hariharan U

Published on October 19, 2026

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa has appointed Ramkumar Arumugam as Chief Engineer, strengthening its engineering leadership with a professional who brings over 18 years of experience across hospitality, engineering, operations and maintenance.

Ramkumar has worked with several hospitality brands during his career, including Taj Deccan Hyderabad, Courtyard by Marriott Bhopal, Four Points by Sheraton Chennai OMR, Park Plaza Chennai OMR, ITC Fortune Select Palms Chennai OMR and Marriott Whitefield Bengaluru. His experience also includes pre-opening assignments and project work with Marriott hotels.

Focus on Engineering and Operational Efficiency

In his new role, Ramkumar will oversee the resort's engineering operations, focusing on the reliable functioning of hotel facilities, preventive maintenance, energy management and cost control.

His responsibilities will include supporting the upkeep of engineering infrastructure, managing equipment performance and ensuring that essential systems operate efficiently. His previous experience spans preventive maintenance planning, energy-cost reduction, budgeting and coordination with different hotel departments.

These functions play an important role in maintaining operational continuity across a hospitality property, supporting both guest comfort and the day-to-day requirements of hotel associates.

Building on 18 Years of Hospitality Experience

Ramkumar's career across multiple hotel brands and assignments brings experience in engineering operations within different property environments. His exposure to pre-opening projects also adds to his understanding of the technical planning and coordination required to establish and maintain hotel facilities.

At Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa, he will focus on engineering efficiency, reliable services and operational excellence, supporting the resort's broader objective of delivering a seamless experience for guests and associates.

His appointment marks another milestone in a career built around hospitality engineering, maintenance and operational management.


Chef Thirumal Mohan Leads Culinary Operations at Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield

Chef Thirumal Mohan Leads Culinary Operations at Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 17, 2026

Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield, Bengaluru, is strengthening its culinary offerings under the leadership of Executive Chef Thirumal Mohan, who brings extensive experience across luxury hospitality, regional Indian cuisine, banquet operations, convention centres and airline catering. Known for his expertise in South Indian specialities and regional culinary traditions, he oversees the hotel's culinary operations, menu development, food quality and kitchen management.

Chef Thirumal Mohan has previously served as Head Chef at Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Rajajinagar and Chef de Cuisine at The Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru, where he handled convention centre and banquet operations. His professional journey also includes culinary roles at Marriott Whitefield, Bengaluru, Aloft Bengaluru and LSG Sky Chefs, where he supported Lufthansa's airline catering operations in Bengaluru.

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Over the years, he has developed expertise in culinary team leadership, menu planning, maintaining food quality and consistency, and creating dining experiences for diverse guest segments. His experience across hotel restaurants, large-scale events, banquets and airline catering has given him a broad understanding of kitchen operations and the changing expectations of the hospitality industry.

A key part of Chef Thirumal Mohan's career has been his participation in food festivals celebrating South Indian and regional Indian cuisines. Through these initiatives, he has showcased traditional ingredients, authentic cooking techniques and distinctive regional flavours to guests across India and international destinations.

His culinary festival portfolio includes a South Indian Cuisine Festival at Fairfield by Marriott, Kathmandu, Nepal, and a food festival at Courtyard by Marriott, Kathmandu, both in 2018. In 2017, he participated in the Karnataka Cuisine – Flavours of the Coast festival at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel, Powai, and a South Indian Cuisine Festival at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa.

In 2016, his engagements included a Kerala Cuisine Onam Festival at Marriott Bengaluru, a Karnataka Cuisine Festival at Fairfield by Marriott Bengaluru Rajajinagar, and a Tamil Nadu cuisine showcase at Courtyard by Marriott, Gurugram. His earlier initiatives featured South Indian cuisine at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu in 2015, a Karnataka-themed Indian Culinary Route at Marriott Bengaluru, and a Chettinad Cuisine festival at the same hotel.

His regional cuisine showcases also took him to Courtyard by Marriott, Bilaspur, and Aloft Bengaluru, where he presented South Indian food festivals in 2014 and 2012, respectively. In 2011, he showcased South Indian cuisine in Belgium through an initiative associated with Lufthansa German Airlines.

At Lemon Tree Hotel Whitefield, Bengaluru, Chef Thirumal Mohan brings together his knowledge of regional cuisines, menu innovation and operational management to strengthen the hotel's food and beverage offerings. His experience in South Indian specialities, supported by his background in large-scale kitchen operations and international culinary showcases, contributes to a dining approach that balances regional authenticity, consistent food quality and contemporary guest expectations.

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