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By Hariharan U
Published on January 7, 2026
The First Group Hospitality, a full-service hotel management company headquartered in Dubai, has announced a series of senior leadership appointments to support its accelerating growth and international expansion. These newly created roles are designed to strengthen capabilities across commercial strategy, marketing, F&B, sales, and wellness operations.
Brendan McCormack assumes the role of Vice President – Business Development, Food & Beverage (F&B). McCormack, previously VP of Marketing and a member of the leadership team since 2020, will focus on scaling the company’s proprietary F&B brands, including Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery and The Blacksmith Bar & Eatery, through franchising and new business opportunities.
Robyn James-O’Connor joins as Senior Vice President – Marketing, overseeing brand, advertising, public relations, social and digital strategy, and development marketing. With a 20-year career at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, including VP of Marketing for the group, she brings extensive expertise in brand-building and integrated marketing within luxury hospitality.
Antonio Bissoni steps in as Vice President – Commercial, leading revenue management, distribution, guest engagement, and commercial strategy. He joins from Marriott International, bringing a wealth of experience in optimising pricing, analytics, and market segmentation to maximise profitability.
Sohail Pedari, appointed Vice President – Sales, will oversee group-wide sales operations, leveraging his experience with Hilton, Marriott International, and Rocco Forte Hotels to drive strategic partnerships and revenue growth across multiple markets.
Maria Kuzeva joins as Corporate Director of Wellness & Spa, charged with driving a unified wellness vision across The First Group Hospitality’s expanding portfolio. With over 20 years of experience at top-tier resorts such as Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis The Royal, she brings expertise in concept development, operations, and brand creation in wellness.
Commenting on the appointments, Apo Demirtas, Chief Strategy Officer, said, "It is a pleasure to welcome these talented leaders into their new roles. As our portfolio grows regionally and internationally, these positions strengthen our capabilities across key operational areas, ensuring we deliver long-term value for our owners and partners."
The appointments come amid significant growth, including landmark developments like Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel, the Vignette Collection by IHG, franchise agreements with Marriott International and IHG, and the company’s entry into Europe with Gennadi Seaside Resort.
About The First Group HospitalityThe First Group Hospitality is a Dubai-based full-service hospitality management company specialising in hotel operations, asset management, and F&B strategy. The company partners with global brands to optimise revenue, enhance efficiency, and maximise asset value, while developing and operating upscale hotels, residences, and award-winning restaurants across the Middle East and internationally.
For more information, visit: tfghospitality.com
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on July 16, 2026
Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) has announced the appointment of Deepak Bisht as Deputy Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand, further strengthening its presence in the hospitality and food service segment.
An alumnus of Amrapali Institute of Hotel Management, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, Deepak brings more than a decade of experience across hospitality operations and HORECA business development.
He began his career in 2014 as a bartender at The Westin Pune before joining JW Marriott Bengaluru as a Bar Executive. In 2017, he moved to Jaipur Marriott, followed by a role as Assistant Bar Manager at The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru in 2018.
In 2021, Deepak took up an international assignment with Le Méridien Dubai as Bar Incharge. Returning to India in 2023, he joined Royal Orchid Hotels as Multi Outlet Manager, where he oversaw multiple food and beverage operations.
Before joining RCPL, he served as Business Development Manager – HORECA, Uttarakhand at Himmaleh Spirits, focusing on strengthening business relationships within the hospitality sector.
With his extensive experience across premium hotels and the beverage industry, Deepak is expected to play a key role in expanding RCPL's HORECA business in Uttarakhand.
Published on July 15, 2026
Mercedes-Benz India has announced a series of strategic leadership changes within its Sales & Marketing function, reinforcing the company's focus on enhancing customer experiences through real-time data, artificial intelligence, and integrated retail finance solutions. The organizational changes will come into effect from September 1, 2026.
As part of the new appointments, Nandita Godbole, currently General Manager – Digital Customer Unit, has been appointed Head of Marketing, succeeding Amrit Baid. Amrit Baid will take over as General Manager – Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars, while Jamsheed Bhadha, currently General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning, will transition to a new role within Mercedes-Benz in Dubai. Sanjay Kochar, presently General Manager – TEV & BEV Sales, will succeed Bhadha as General Manager – Product Planning & Sales Planning.
Commenting on the organizational changes, Brendon Sissing, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "Our people remain the driving force behind Mercedes-Benz's customer centricity and sustained success. These organizational changes reinforce our commitment to creating exceptional customer experiences using real-time data strategies, AI deployment, and integrated business capabilities, while building future-ready leaders by offering broader cross-functional exposure to our talents."
Nandita Godbole has held several leadership positions across Marketing, Retail Sales, and the Digital Customer Unit at Mercedes-Benz India. In her new role, she will focus on leveraging artificial intelligence, real-time data, and predictive insights to create more personalized and seamless customer experiences across every stage of the ownership journey.
Amrit Baid, who has successfully led Marketing and Customer Experience initiatives, including campaigns such as Dreams Day, Wish Box, and G-Tribe, will now lead the Retail Finance & Pre-Owned Cars business. Mercedes-Benz India said the appointment aligns with its strategy of integrating retail finance more closely into the customer journey. The company's retail finance portfolio has grown to over ₹15,000 crore and currently supports more than 50 percent of the vehicles retailed through financing programmes such as Star Agility.
The leadership changes reflect Mercedes-Benz India's continued emphasis on nurturing internal talent, strengthening cross-functional leadership, and accelerating innovation-led growth while delivering a more connected and customer-centric luxury automotive experience
Fairfield by Marriott Agra has announced the appointment of Chef Ashwani Nigam as Executive Chef and Mr. Bipin Prajapati as Assistant Financial Controller, strengthening its leadership team with experienced professionals across culinary and financial operations.
The appointments mark another step in the hotel’s ongoing commitment towards delivering exceptional hospitality experiences, operational excellence, and continued growth.
As Executive Chef, Chef Ashwani Nigam will lead the culinary operations at Fairfield by Marriott Agra, overseeing menu development, kitchen operations, food quality standards, and innovative dining experiences. With his extensive industry expertise, he is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strengthen the hotel’s culinary offerings while maintaining Marriott’s commitment to quality and consistency.
Mr. Bipin Prajapati joins Fairfield by Marriott Agra as Assistant Financial Controller, where he will be responsible for supporting financial operations, reporting, budgeting, and strategic financial planning. His expertise will contribute towards strengthening the hotel’s financial performance and operational efficiency.
Both appointments reflect Fairfield by Marriott Agra’s focus on building a strong leadership team that supports its vision of providing seamless guest experiences and maintaining high service standards.
With experienced professionals joining key positions, Fairfield by Marriott Agra continues to enhance its operational capabilities while creating memorable experiences for guests visiting the historic city of Agra.
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