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.


Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur Announces the Promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur Announces the Promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2025

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur, is pleased to announce the promotion of Mr. Arvind Mishra as Executive Housekeeper. With a proven track record of excellence and over a decade of experience in hospitality operations, Mr. Mishra has been instrumental in maintaining the hotel’s high standards of cleanliness, guest comfort, and sustainability. In his new role.

he will continue to lead the housekeeping team with a focus on service innovation, efficiency, and guest satisfaction, further strengthening Welcomhotel Guntur’s commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and ensuring an impeccable stay experience for every guest

About Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur

Nestled in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Guntur blends modern luxury with the region’s rich cultural heritage. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel features contemporary accommodations, diverse dining experiences, and signature warm hospitality. With sustainable practices at its core, Welcomhotel Guntur embodies ITC Hotels’ “Responsible Luxury” philosophy, offering guests an experience that is both refined and environmentally conscious.


Cygnet.One Appoints Dr. Pankaj Dikshit as Executive Director to Drive AI-Led Digital Transformation

Cygnet.One Appoints Dr. Pankaj Dikshit as Executive Director to Drive AI-Led Digital Transformation

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2025

Cygnet.One, a global leader in digital tax transformation and enterprise technology, has announced the appointment of Dr. Pankaj Dikshit, PhD (IIT Delhi) as Executive Director. With over 30 years of experience spanning government, enterprise, and technology, Dr. Dikshit brings a rare mix of strategic vision and hands-on expertise in building national-scale digital systems powered by AI and compliance-driven frameworks. He will operate from New Delhi.

An IIT Delhi alumnus, Dr. Dikshit holds both M.Tech and PhD degrees and has previously held senior roles at IBM and the Government of India. Over his career, he has been at the forefront of digital transformation, AI adoption, cybersecurity, and policy innovation, earning recognition from AWS, ET Digitech, and DSCI for his leadership in technology and data-driven governance.

One of his most notable contributions was his pioneering role in India’s GST digital transformation, where he helped scale the system to serve millions of taxpayers, billions of invoices, and transactions across the country. He also played a key role in designing and implementing the E-Way Bill and e-Invoicing frameworks, strengthening revenue collection and compliance through technology.

Speaking on his new role, Dr. Pankaj Dikshit shared, “Having worked closely with both government and industry leaders on large-scale digital transformations, I believe technology is more than compliance,  it’s a catalyst for trust, efficiency, and long-term value. At Cygnet.One, I’m excited to extend this vision by helping enterprises embrace AI-first, secure, and compliant digital systems that redefine the way they operate.”

Niraj Hutheesing, Founder and Managing Director of Cygnet.One, added, “We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Dikshit to our leadership team. His work in India’s digital transformation and his experience at the intersection of policy, governance, and technology make him the ideal leader to guide our next phase of growth. His expertise will accelerate our mission to empower enterprises through AI-driven and compliance-led innovation.”

At Cygnet.One, Dr. Dikshit will focus on advancing AI-first digital transformation across key sectors including BFSI, Manufacturing, Pharma, Retail, and the Public Sector. His leadership will help businesses move beyond compliance, turning regulatory alignment into opportunity and driving measurable value through automation and intelligent systems.

Beyond enterprise strategy, Dr. Dikshit is also expected to contribute to Cygnet.One’s core growth pillars, Clients, Cygnetians, and Community by promoting a culture of innovation, mentorship, and social impact through technology.

Cygnet.One continues to stand at the forefront of digital transformation, with expertise spanning Tax, VAT & GST compliance, e-Invoicing, AI-driven data intelligence, and enterprise modernization. The company is actively involved in large-scale implementations across regions including India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Europe, helping businesses redefine how they comply, connect, and compete in the evolving digital economy.


Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Welcomes Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Welcomes Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 7, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal has announced the appointment of Chef Mohd. Asif Qureshi as Master Chef – Nazaara, bringing with him over two decades of rich culinary experience across leading hospitality brands in India and abroad. Known for his expertise in Indian, Mughlai, and Awadhi cuisines, Chef Asif is set to further elevate the hotel’s dynamic culinary offerings with his distinctive flair and authentic touch.

Before joining Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, Chef Asif served as Chef de Cuisine at JW Marriott Bengaluru, where he curated refined dining experiences that beautifully blended Indian flavours with a modern twist. His impressive career spans several renowned properties, including The Den Bengaluru, The Zuri Whitefield Bengaluru, ITC Fortune Select Trinity Bengaluru, Radisson Blu Paschim Vihar New Delhi, ITC Chola Sheraton Chennai, Radisson Hotel (GRT) Chennai, and ITC Maratha Mumbai.

On the international front, Chef Asif has led culinary teams at Daalchini Restaurant in Dubai and Move N Pick Hotels in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, enriching his experience with diverse global influences.

Recognised for his mastery of traditional Indian cuisine, Chef Asif focuses on infusing authenticity into every dish while embracing modern culinary techniques. His style blends age-old traditions with innovation, ensuring every dining experience reflects both nostalgia and creativity.

Commenting on the appointment, Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, said, “We are delighted to welcome Chef Asif to our culinary team. His vast experience, especially in Indian and Awadhi cuisines, will add great value to our dining experiences. We look forward to his creative interpretations and the new energy he will bring to our culinary offerings.”

With Chef Asif at the helm, Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Bengaluru’s most vibrant dining destinations, offering guests a refined yet diverse gastronomic journey that celebrates both tradition and innovation.

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