Sunday Hotels Appoints Firoz Khan as Director and Channel Head – Business Development, India

Sunday Hotels Appoints Firoz Khan as Director and Channel Head – Business Development, India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 11, 2026

Sunday Hotels, a global hospitality brand under Prism backed by SoftBank, has announced the appointment of Firoz Khan as Director and Channel Head – Business Development, India.

The appointment further strengthens the company’s leadership team as the brand continues to focus on strategic expansion and partnership-driven growth across the country.

In his new role, Firoz will lead business development and channel strategy initiatives, with a focus on identifying high-potential markets, building stronger partner ecosystems, and developing a scalable growth structure across the brand’s portfolio.

Firoz brings more than 16 years of industry experience with expertise in market entry strategies, brand positioning, mall zoning, tenant mix planning, retail operations, and long-term brand sustainability. Throughout his career, he has developed strong relationships with developers, retailers, and institutional stakeholders, helping drive successful expansion strategies across different real estate markets in India.

Before joining Sunday Hotels, Firoz served as Vice President and Head – North India Business at PPZ, where he managed the company’s North India portfolio. During his tenure, he focused on regional growth, developer partnerships, and asset acquisition while working closely with leadership teams on business planning and performance strategies. His responsibilities also included operations, marketing, budgeting, leasing, and SOH management.

Earlier in his career, he worked as Associate Director at Colliers International, where he handled projects across multiple markets and collaborated with retailers and developers nationwide. In this role, he also supported several retail and startup brands in shaping their expansion plans and business development strategies across Tier I, II, and III cities.

Firoz has also worked closely with major brands including Walmart, Metro Cash & Carry, and PVR INOX, contributing towards retail expansion across emerging markets. His professional journey also includes key roles at Cushman & Wakefield, CBRE, and JLL.

Commenting on his appointment, Firoz Khan said,

"For me, business development has always been about understanding how markets evolve and building partnerships with intent. What stood out about Sunday Hotels is the clarity in its growth vision and the opportunity to build in a way that is both structured and sustainable. There is strong potential to deepen channel relationships and approach expansion more thoughtfully, and I look forward to working with the team to shape that journey in the years ahead."

With this appointment, Sunday Hotels aims to further strengthen its business development capabilities while continuing to build a scalable and future-ready hospitality platform.


Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Promotes Three Leaders Across Core Hotel Operations

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Promotes Three Leaders Across Core Hotel Operations

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of three associates into key management roles, reaffirming the hotel's commitment to nurturing internal talent and building future hospitality leaders.

Tanushree Paul has been promoted to Front Office Manager, Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been elevated to Executive Housekeeper, and Santhosh Ramanna has assumed the role of Director of Engineering.

Previously serving as Assistant Front Office Manager, Tanushree Paul has established herself as a dependable hospitality professional with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and team engagement. A graduate in Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from NSHM School of Hotel Management, she joined Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse in June 2023 and has progressed steadily through her guest-centric approach and consistent performance.

Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been promoted from Housekeeping Manager to Executive Housekeeper after making significant contributions to enhancing housekeeping standards across the hotel. He is recognised for introducing the Small Acts of Kindness initiative, encouraging personalised guest interactions through thoughtful service gestures. A Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration graduate from IHM Guwahati, Kaustav was also honoured with the Clean Warrior Honours by World of Hospitality for his contribution to the HORECA industry.

Santhosh Ramanna has been elevated from Chief Engineer to Director of Engineering in recognition of his leadership in engineering operations, maintenance management and asset upkeep. His efforts in maintaining operational excellence earned him the Best Upkeep and Maintenance Award for Hotels from Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited in 2025. He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from KSOU Mysore.

Commenting on the promotions, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, said the appointments reflect the strong internal talent pipeline the hotel has built over the years. He noted that Tanushree, Kaustav and Santhosh have each played an important role in strengthening guest experiences, operational consistency and team culture, adding that empowering associates to grow and innovate remains central to the hotel's success.

The latest promotions further reinforce Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse's focus on developing talent from within while creating leadership opportunities that support exceptional guest experiences and long-term operational excellence


Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Appoints Gaurav Jain as Chief Financial Officer

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Appoints Gaurav Jain as Chief Financial Officer

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 10, 2026

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gaurav Jain as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move comes as the hospitality company continues to expand its presence across India and strengthen its corporate capabilities to support its next phase of growth.

A Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant (ICWA), Gaurav brings over 15 years of experience in strategic finance, corporate governance, business transformation, capital structuring, and IPO readiness. During his career, he has held CXO-level leadership positions across startups, diversified corporate groups, and government-backed institutions, leading initiatives focused on financial governance, operational efficiency, and business transformation.

In his new role, Gaurav will lead Cygnett Hotels & Resorts' financial strategy, strengthen governance frameworks, optimise capital allocation, and support the company's expansion plans. His appointment aligns with the brand's long-term growth strategy as it continues to scale its operations across existing and new markets.

Announcing the appointment, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett is entering an exciting phase of growth, and building a strong leadership team is central to our long-term vision. Gaurav's diverse experience in strategic finance, governance and business transformation will further strengthen our financial foundation as we continue expanding our presence across existing and new markets. We are pleased to welcome him to the Cygnett family."

Expressing his enthusiasm on joining the company, Gaurav Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett has established itself as one of India's fastest-growing hospitality brands with a clear vision for expansion. I am delighted to join the organisation at this important juncture and look forward to strengthening its financial strategy, enhancing governance standards and supporting sustainable, value-driven growth across the business."

Known for combining financial discipline with strategic business planning, Gaurav has successfully led finance functions across organisations at different stages of growth. His expertise in capital planning, governance, performance optimisation, and long-term value creation is expected to further strengthen Cygnett Hotels & Resorts as it continues its expansion journey across India's hospitality sector.


DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Mayank Takkar as Food & Beverage Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Mayank Takkar as Food & Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 9, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has announced the appointment of Mayank Takkar as its new Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing over a decade of hospitality experience, Mayank joins the hotel with expertise in food and beverage operations, guest experience, and team leadership.

In his new role, he will oversee the hotel's complete food and beverage portfolio, including its restaurants, bars, banqueting, and in-room dining services. His responsibilities will include strengthening service standards, enhancing culinary experiences, driving revenue growth, and further elevating the hotel's dining offerings in line with Hilton's global hospitality standards.

Before joining DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, Mayank served as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Hilton Jaipur, where he managed multiple F&B operations while contributing to revenue growth and guest satisfaction initiatives. During his career, he has also worked with leading hospitality brands such as Marriott Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Westin Gurgaon, Andaz by Hyatt, and Trident Gurgaon.

A graduate in Hotel and Hospitality Management from IHM Gwalior, Mayank has developed strong expertise in food and beverage operations, revenue optimisation, guest relations, event management, service excellence, and team development. He is recognised for his collaborative leadership style and guest-first approach, along with his ability to build high-performing teams and deliver memorable dining experiences.

Commenting on the appointment, Nitin Pathak, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, said:

"We are pleased to welcome Mayank to the DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square family. Bringing extensive industry experience and strong expertise in Food & Beverage operations, he joins us with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and driving service excellence. We are confident that his leadership, strategic vision, and operational acumen will further elevate our dining offerings and contribute significantly to enhancing the overall guest experience."

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Mayank Takkar said:

"I am excited to embark on this new journey with DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square. My focus will be on further enhancing the hotel's food and beverage experiences while ensuring our guests receive unique, memorable, and exceptional service. I look forward to working closely with the team to foster a positive work culture and contribute to the continued growth and success of the property."

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