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.


The Job Plus Elevates Divya Krishan to Chief Growth Officer

The Job Plus Elevates Divya Krishan to Chief Growth Officer

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 21, 2025

The Job Plus has announced the elevation of Divya Krishan to Chief Growth Officer (CGO), marking a strategic move in the company’s mission to create a skilled and sustainable workforce for India’s service and hospitality sectors.

In her expanded role, Krishan will lead the platform’s strategic growth efforts across its nationwide skilling engine, deepen collaborations with industry leaders, and accelerate efforts to skill and place thousands of young Indians into meaningful employment.

Natwar Nagar, Founder of The Job Plus, remarked, “Divya has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of strategic vision, passion for inclusive growth, and the ability to turn ideas into impact. Her elevation to Chief Growth Officer reflects our belief in her leadership and our shared commitment to transforming the lives of young Indians across the country.”

Over the past three years, Krishan has played a pivotal role in shaping key initiatives such as women-focused skilling programmes, CSR-driven partnerships, and digital literacy outreach for underserved communities. Her leadership underlines the brand’s focus on bridging the gap between potential and opportunity—while fostering sustainable employment and service excellence both in India and internationally.

This move signals a stronger push by The Job Plus to enhance workforce readiness and deepen its engagement with the evolving needs of the hospitality and service industry.


Kashif Masood Takes Charge as General Manager at Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru

Kashif Masood Takes Charge as General Manager at Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 19, 2025

Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites, Bengaluru, has appointed Mr. Kashif Masood as its new General Manager, bringing onboard a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience in hospitality operations and leadership.

Mr. Masood’s career spans across top hotel brands including Jaypee Hotels, Taj Hotels, ITC Hotels, and Radisson Hotel Group, along with international exposure from his stint in East Africa. A valued member of the Sarovar Group for over six years, he previously led operations at Radisson Blu Outer Ring Road, managed by Sarovar, before stepping into this larger leadership role in Bengaluru.

A graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Mr. Masood is celebrated for his hands-on leadership style, team-building skills, and a strong guest-first philosophy. His core strengths lie in hotel operations and food & beverage management, with a proven track record in aligning teams towards shared goals and elevating guest satisfaction.

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Speaking on his new role, Mr. Masood said,
"Taking on the role of General Manager at Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites is a privilege and a responsibility I value deeply. My focus will be on building a culture of accountability and genuine hospitality, strengthening the hotel’s market presence, and creating long-term value through thoughtful leadership."

As General Manager, he will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s strategic direction, driving business growth, and ensuring operational excellence across departments. His leadership will also be key in mentoring the internal teams and nurturing relationships with guests and stakeholders alike.

Outside the boardroom, Mr. Masood enjoys traveling, reading, and swimming—interests that reflect his curiosity, focus, and discipline, which also shine through in his professional journey.

HospitalityNews extends its best wishes to Mr. Kashif Masood as he begins this exciting new chapter with Davanam Sarovar Portico Suites.


Kajal Chandan Launches Newzy Room LLP to Give Hospitality a Voice of Its Own

Kajal Chandan Launches Newzy Room LLP to Give Hospitality a Voice of Its Own

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 18, 2025

The hospitality industry just got its own dedicated voice. Kajal Chandan, a seasoned hospitality professional, has co-founded Newzy Room LLP—a specialized communications studio based in Andheri, Mumbai. With this launch, Kajal aims to bridge the gap between operational know-how and brand storytelling, bringing insider-driven communication strategies to the forefront.

Kajal brings with her over 15 years of experience, having worked with renowned hospitality brands such as IHCL’s Ginger Hotels, Mira Hospitality, Pride Hotels & Resorts, Lords Hotels, Sayaji Hotels, and Kamats Legacy. Her deep-rooted industry understanding positions Newzy Room to offer finely-tuned strategies that resonate with both media and guests.

Newzy Room will offer a bouquet of services including traditional PR (print & digital), influencer engagement, FAM trips, advertorials, industry awards, celebrity interactions, and creative brand storytelling—crafted specifically for the hospitality ecosystem.

"We are dedicated to hospitality—because that's where we come from, and that's what we understand best," shares Kajal. "Our aim is to give the hospitality industry the kind of focused visibility and voice it truly deserves."

At a time when meaningful narratives and brand identity are key to differentiation, Newzy Room arrives with the right mix of media insight and sector expertise—ready to redefine how hotels and hospitality brands communicate their stories.

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