The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

The Leela Palace Jaipur Welcomes New Leaders Across Key Roles

By Nishang Narayan

Published on December 12, 2024

The Leela Palace Jaipur has fortified its leadership team with four new appointments, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to elevate the luxury hotel's offerings and operations.

Sohil Bhargava, Director of Food and Beverage

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With over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry, Sohil Bhargava has an impressive track record working with esteemed establishments like Raffles, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, and Andaz. Most recently, he excelled as the Senior Food and Beverage Manager at The DLF Camellias, where he implemented innovative strategies and created exceptional dining experiences. A graduate of the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Bhargava specializes in F&B operations, business strategy, and leadership.

In his new role, Bhargava will drive the culinary vision at The Leela Palace Jaipur, focusing on elevating the food and beverage experience to create unforgettable moments for guests while contributing to the hotel's overall growth and reputation.

Varun Parashar, Executive Chef

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A seasoned culinary expert, Varun Parashar brings a rich background that includes roles at Raa Atoll, Maldives; South Male Atoll, Maldives; Trident Bandra Kurla; and The Oberoi Rajvilas. With a proven ability to enhance team performance and deliver exceptional culinary standards, Parashar is a graduate of the Oberoi Center for Learning & Development and holds a bachelor's degree from IHM Lucknow.

As the Executive Chef, Parashar will lead the culinary operations at The Leela Palace Jaipur, curating exceptional menus that celebrate regional flavors while maintaining the highest culinary standards.

Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Director of Finance

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Sandeep Kumar Sharma joins with extensive experience in financial management, having held key positions at Hilton Jaipur, The Leela Palace New Delhi, and Trident properties in Chennai and Hyderabad. Sharma’s ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and his expertise in strategic planning have been hallmarks of his career.

A commerce graduate from Rajasthan University, Sharma will oversee financial strategies at The Leela Palace Jaipur, ensuring the hotel's fiscal health and operational efficiency.

Tanuj Shokeen, Director of Sales and Marketing

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With over 15 years in the hospitality industry, Tanuj Shokeen has a proven track record in driving sales performance and engaging stakeholders across various markets. Before joining The Leela Palace Jaipur, he served as the Director of Sales at Taj - Jai Mahal Palace Jaipur. Shokeen holds a PGDM in Marketing and International Business from AIMA and a bachelor's degree in commerce from Delhi University.

In his new role, Shokeen will focus on enhancing sales strategies, revenue management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring The Leela Palace Jaipur strengthens its position as a leader in the luxury hospitality market.

These appointments mark a significant step forward for The Leela Palace Jaipur, as the new leaders bring their expertise and passion to take the property’s guest experiences and operational excellence to new heights.


Hilton Chennai Appoints Shakti Singh as General Manager

Hilton Chennai Appoints Shakti Singh as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hilton Chennai has announced the appointment of seasoned hospitality leader Mr. Shakti Singh as its new General Manager. With an impressive career spanning over 23 years in India’s top hotel chains, Mr. Singh brings a wealth of operational knowledge and strategic vision to the prestigious property. His arrival reflects Hilton Chennai’s commitment to raising the bar in guest experience and service standards in one of South India’s most competitive hospitality markets.

Mr. Singh takes the reins following his recent leadership at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, where he implemented innovative F&B concepts and elevated employee engagement through wellness-driven initiatives. Prior to that, he also served as General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Trivandrum and has held leadership roles across leading brands like Hyatt, Oberoi, and Accor before joining Hilton a decade ago.

Throughout his journey, he has been known for his ability to drive results, enhance team culture, and deliver excellence in guest services. “I am honored to take the helm at Hilton Chennai,” said Mr. Shakti Singh. “This property has established itself as a benchmark for hospitality excellence, and I look forward to working with our talented team to build on this strong foundation. We will continue to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of service that our guests expect from Hilton.”

Team Hilton Chennai extended a warm welcome to Mr. Singh, expressing confidence that his leadership will usher in a new era of growth, innovation, and continued success.


Rajnish Sharma Joins Accor Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager

Rajnish Sharma Joins Accor Hotels as Food & Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

Accor Hotels has announced the appointment of Rajnish Sharma as its new Food & Beverage Manager. With over 10 years of dynamic experience across some of the most prestigious names in hospitality including The Leela, Hilton, Marriott, and Sheraton, Rajnish now brings his proven expertise to one of the world’s most prominent hospitality groups.

Known for his sharp operational acumen, seamless event execution, and unwavering guest-centric focus, Rajnish has consistently driven excellence across food and beverage functions. In his new role, he steps into a strategic position where he will oversee key F&B operations, craft memorable dining experiences, and contribute to Accor’s broader vision of innovation and quality. His appointment further strengthens the brand’s leadership team, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class hospitality driven by passion and precision.


From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

From Numbers to Nutrition: Parag Milk Foods Elevates Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar Sports Nutrition

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 3, 2025

Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy FMCG and nutrition companies, has announced the elevation of Nitin Kanodia as Business Head of Avvatar, its rapidly growing sports and active nutrition brand. This strategic move underlines Parag’s strong belief in grooming internal talent and fostering leaders who exemplify its core values of performance, purpose, and passion.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Nitin joined Parag Milk Foods with a robust foundation in financial strategy and operations. Over time, he displayed remarkable agility, moving beyond the world of numbers to take on roles in marketing and brand building. His leadership has been instrumental in crafting impactful campaigns and positioning Avvatar as a credible, homegrown challenger to global protein brands—cementing consumer trust and driving the brand’s expansion in India’s health and wellness market.

Speaking on his new role, Nitin Kanodia shared,

“It has been an incredible journey — from decoding balance sheets to now decoding the minds of modern consumers. Avvatar is not just a product; it’s a mission to bridge India’s protein gap with clean, effective, and trusted nutrition. I look forward to scaling this brand to new heights, building stronger consumer trust, and innovating across formats.”

Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods Ltd., echoed these sentiments, saying,

“At Parag, we believe that when individuals grow, the organisation grows with them. Our culture is built on recognising performance, empowering potential, and giving people the freedom to evolve across functions and roles. Nitin’s progression from finance to marketing to now leading a high-growth brand like Avvatar is a reflection of this belief. We’re equally focused on bringing in strong leadership talent from outside and nurturing promising individuals from within. This balance is helping us build a future-ready organisation that values entrepreneurship, agility, and accountability at every level.”

As India witnesses a growing shift toward health-conscious lifestyles and protein-rich diets, Avvatar stands poised to play a pivotal role in this wellness transformation. With forward-thinking leadership and a talent-first approach, Parag Milk Foods continues to set benchmarks not only in product innovation but also in building a workplace where passion seamlessly meets purpose.

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