The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

The Access Group appoints Shashikant Shimpi as Managing Director, India to drive Hospitality growth and APAC expansion

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 15, 2026

The Access Group, one of the leading global providers of business management software, has announced the appointment of Shashikant Shimpi (Shashi) as Managing Director, India, for its Hospitality Division. The move marks an important step in the company’s APAC growth plans, with India being seen as a key market for both business expansion and technology development.

Shashi joined the company in May 2026 and will oversee The Access Group’s India operations. His role will focus on strengthening growth opportunities for STAAH, an Access company and one of the region’s hospitality technology platforms, while also supporting wider technology and innovation goals across APAC.

Bringing over 25 years of experience, Shashi has built a strong career in digital transformation, business growth, and client success. Over the years, he has established three Global Capability Centres from the ground up, scaling each to teams of more than a thousand professionals across multiple locations. Before joining The Access Group, he served as Global COO at RunDTC and also held leadership roles at Dentsu, Isobar, and Tata group companies.

Known for driving large-scale growth and creating long-term value, Shashi has experience in strategic planning, P&L management, and expanding businesses through both organic and inorganic growth. He was also recognised as Business Leader of the Year by the World Leadership Congress.

India continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing travel and tourism markets globally. With both independent and chain hotels increasingly adopting modern technology to improve revenue management, distribution, and guest experiences, the company sees significant opportunity in the market. Through STAAH, The Access Group already has an established presence among hoteliers in India and plans to build further on that foundation with broader technology offerings.

Apart from market growth, India’s strong technology ecosystem and increasing expertise in AI-related fields make it an important location for future capability building. As part of his role, Shashi will also focus on developing strong talent that contributes to the division’s product and technology goals.

“India is an exciting near term growth market for us in the accommodation software space. Through STAAH, an Access company, we already have a substantial footprint with hoteliers across the country, and as we prepare to bring Access Evo to India, our AI-powered platform that empowers hospitality businesses to focus on what truly matters, from answering the biggest strategic questions to completing everyday tasks, having world-class leadership on the ground is critical. Shashi is exactly the right person to lead The Access Group in India," said Louise Daley, Head of Hospitality APAC, The Access Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Shashikant Shimpi, Managing Director, India, The Access Group, said, "Joining The Access Group at this point in its India journey is a tremendous opportunity. We have a strong foundation through STAAH, an Access company, and the broader Access platform opens up possibilities that support even greater options for our customers to grow their businesses and support their employees to do more. My priority will be to build a team that is deeply connected to The Access Group's mission, bring in the best talent India has to offer, and ensure our customers across the region have a technology partner they can genuinely rely on."


Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata Strengthens Rooms Division with Two Key Leadership Appointments

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata Strengthens Rooms Division with Two Key Leadership Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre has strengthened its Rooms Division leadership team with the appointment of Sudipta Paul as Housekeeping Manager and the promotion of Somosubhra Mukherjee as Front Office Manager.

With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Sudipta Paul joins the hotel with expertise in housekeeping operations, hygiene management, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Prior to this appointment, he served as Assistant Housekeeping Manager at The St. Regis Goa Resort, where he played a key role in enhancing guest satisfaction and operational excellence. His professional journey also includes leadership assignments with Marriott International, Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, and international exposure through Hilton Al Seef Dubai.

In his new role, Sudipta will lead the hotel's housekeeping operations, focusing on maintaining high cleanliness standards, enhancing guest satisfaction, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement while developing high-performing teams.

Alongside this appointment, the hotel has promoted Somosubhra Mukherjee to Front Office Manager. Bringing more than 11 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has built a strong reputation for operational excellence, guest service, and team leadership. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Radisson, The LaLiT Group of Hotels, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

Somosubhra joined Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre in 2023 as Duty Manager before being promoted to Assistant Front Office Manager in 2025. In his new position, he will oversee front office operations with a focus on delivering seamless guest experiences, strengthening operational efficiency, and enhancing service excellence.

Commenting on the appointments, Somrup Chanda, General Manager, Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre, said, "At Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre, our people are our greatest strength, and investing in capable leaders is integral to delivering exceptional guest experiences. We are delighted to welcome Sudipta Paul as Housekeeping Manager and congratulate Somosubhra Mukherjee on his well-deserved promotion to Front Office Manager. Their combined expertise, operational excellence, and passion for hospitality will further strengthen our Rooms Division, elevate service standards, and reinforce our commitment to creating memorable experiences for every guest."

The appointments reflect the hotel's continued focus on nurturing talent, strengthening operational leadership, and enhancing guest experiences through experienced professionals.


Novotel Jodhpur Appoints Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager

Novotel Jodhpur Appoints Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Novotel Jodhpur has announced the appointment of Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager, further strengthening its commercial leadership team as the hotel continues to focus on revenue optimisation and operational excellence.

A hospitality professional with extensive experience in revenue management and reservations, Radhika brings expertise in strategic pricing, demand forecasting, inventory optimisation, distribution management, and commercial planning. In her new role, she will oversee the hotel's revenue strategy, pricing, market segmentation, forecasting, distribution channels, inventory management, and reservation operations.

Before joining Novotel Jodhpur, Radhika held key positions within Accor's portfolio at Fairmont Jaipur and Fairmont Mumbai, where she progressed through the reservations function while contributing to revenue growth and operational efficiency. Her analytical approach, collaborative leadership style, and understanding of market dynamics have established her as a results-driven commercial professional.

Working closely with the Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams, she will focus on driving sustainable revenue growth while maintaining seamless reservation processes and delivering an enhanced guest experience.

Welcoming her to the hotel, the management of Novotel Jodhpur said Radhika's experience in revenue management, strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence will play an important role in strengthening the hotel's commercial performance and supporting its continued growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Radhika Rathore said she is honoured to join Novotel Jodhpur and looks forward to implementing data-driven revenue strategies, strengthening reservation operations, and contributing to the hotel's commercial success while creating memorable guest experiences.

Her appointment reflects Novotel Jodhpur's continued focus on building a high-performing leadership team that supports the hotel's vision of delivering world-class hospitality, innovative guest experiences, and sustainable business growth.

Part of the Accor portfolio, Novotel Jodhpur offers contemporary accommodation, dining experiences, event facilities, and hospitality inspired by the cultural heritage of Rajasthan's Blue City.


Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture, further strengthening the leadership team across the two Accor-managed properties in North Goa.

With more than 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rebecca brings expertise in talent management, hotel pre-openings, organisational transformation, employee engagement, and leadership development. In her new role, she will lead the People & Culture function across both hotels, driving strategic talent initiatives, enhancing employee engagement, strengthening leadership capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Rebecca began her hospitality career with Country Inn & Suites by Carlson before joining Hyatt Hotels, where she played an integral role in the pre-opening of Hyatt Centric Goa Candolim and Hyatt Place Goa. These assignments helped build her expertise in establishing people practices and developing high-performing teams from the ground up.

She later joined Hilton Goa Resort, where she quickly progressed into a cluster leadership position. Within 18 months, she was entrusted with leading the pre-opening of Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute while simultaneously overseeing people strategy across both Hilton properties.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and strong change management capabilities, Rebecca is passionate about building inclusive workplace cultures that empower employees to grow. Her people-centric philosophy focuses on empathy, continuous learning, and operational excellence to create meaningful employee experiences.

Welcoming her to the organisation, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, said Rebecca's extensive hospitality experience and passion for nurturing talent make her a valuable addition to the leadership team. He noted that her people-first approach aligns with Accor's commitment to creating an inclusive and inspiring workplace where its Heartists® can thrive.

He further added that her appointment comes at an important phase for both hotels, with Novotel Goa Resort & Spa preparing for the renovation of its guest rooms by the fourth quarter of 2026 while continuing to strengthen its position as one of Goa's preferred destinations for families, MICE travellers, and pet-friendly stays. Novotel Goa Candolim, meanwhile, continues to enhance its leisure offerings and remains one of North Goa's leading hospitality destinations.

Rebecca's appointment reinforces Accor's continued focus on investing in people and leadership development while supporting the operational growth of its hospitality portfolio in Goa.

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