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.


Francesco Giovannelli Appointed Monastero Manager at Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere

Francesco Giovannelli Appointed Monastero Manager at Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere

By Hariharan U

Published on February 19, 2026

Atmosphere Core has appointed Francesco Giovannelli as Monastero Manager of Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, marking the group’s foray into the European heritage hospitality landscape. Nestled in the UNESCO-listed Langhe hills of Piedmont, the property represents the brand’s first heritage address in Italy under Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.

With over 15 years of hospitality leadership experience across Italy, including Piedmont and Tuscany, Giovannelli brings strong operational expertise spanning revenue coordination, service delivery, and department leadership. His hands-on understanding of regional cultures and guest expectations has earned him recognition from Leading Hotels of the World for service excellence, followed by the Hospitality Award 2025.

Commenting on his appointment, Francesco Giovannelli said, “Borgo Monchiero is a special heritage experience, and I am honoured to lead this exceptional project for Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. By working closely with teams on the ground, my priority is to translate heritage into operational excellence and results that guests can feel at every touchpoint.”

Ashwin Handa, Chief Operating Officer at Atmosphere Core, added, “Francesco’s appointment reflects our focus on appointing leaders who combine strong commercial and operational acumen with a deep respect for place and people. His experience and sensibility are ideally suited to Borgo Monchiero Heritage by Atmosphere, where history and modern hospitality come together.”

Originally built in 1773, the restored 18th-century monastery blends Romanesque architecture, sacred frescoes, and the art, culture, and cuisine of northern Italy. The three-storey hillside retreat features 19 rooms reimagined from former monastic cells, a private chapel for weddings and intimate ceremonies, a restaurant highlighting local gastronomy, an elegant lounge bar, a panoramic swimming pool, and a wellness area with sauna, infrared therapies, and a private jacuzzi set within a centuries-old water reservoir. Located in a region renowned for Barolo and Barbera wines, the property offers an immersive luxury escape rooted in history and terroir.

With this appointment, Atmosphere Core strengthens its expansion strategy across Europe, reinforcing its vision of delivering culturally immersive, experience-led hospitality in distinctive heritage settings.


Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Rahul Sharma as F&B Manager

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore Appoints Rahul Sharma as F&B Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on February 19, 2026

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has announced the appointment of Rahul Sharma as Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing over 16 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Rahul offers strong expertise in multi-outlet management, revenue optimization, cost control, and service excellence.

Throughout his career, Rahul has led complex restaurant and banquet operations, mentored high-performance teams, and consistently delivered elevated guest satisfaction scores. He has managed high-volume dining environments, executed large-scale events, and implemented structured service rituals aimed at improving operational efficiency while reinforcing brand positioning.

In his new role, Rahul will oversee the strategic and operational leadership of the hotel’s F&B division. His responsibilities will include driving financial performance, enhancing guest experiences, developing talent, and curating innovative programming across the hotel’s outlets.

Speaking on his appointment, Rahul Sharma said, “Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore represents an exciting intersection of business, travel, and the city’s evolving dining culture. I look forward to collaborating with the team to drive operational excellence, build strong customer loyalty, and create distinctive food and beverage offerings aligned with the brand’s dynamic ethos.”

With this appointment, the hotel continues to strengthen its leadership framework and sharpen its focus on delivering consistent, high-quality dining and beverage experiences. Rahul’s ability to balance fiscal discipline with guest-centric innovation is expected to further enhance service benchmarks and reinforce the hotel’s competitive positioning within Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape.


Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli Appoints Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing

Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli Appoints Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing

By Hariharan U

Published on February 18, 2026

Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli has announced the appointment of Hemant Chowdhary as Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening the hotel’s commercial leadership as it grows as a premier leisure destination in Maharashtra.

With over two decades of experience across global hotel brands including Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, and Starwood, Hemant brings deep expertise in driving revenue growth, enhancing brand positioning, and building high-impact commercial strategies across competitive hospitality markets.

In his new role, he will lead the hotel’s sales and marketing initiatives, focusing on revenue performance, strategic partnerships, and optimising the business mix to strengthen leisure demand. Hemant will also align commercial efforts with the property’s long-term growth objectives.

Hemant’s background spans leisure hospitality, pre-opening strategies, and hotel positioning, having successfully boosted brand visibility and commercial performance across multiple assignments. He holds an MBA from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai, and is a graduate of IHM Ahmedabad, combining strong academic credentials with hands-on industry experience.

Anil Chavan, General Manager of Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli, said, “We are delighted to welcome Hemant to Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli. His strong commercial acumen, deep understanding of leisure-driven hospitality, and proven ability to build strategic partnerships make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. As we continue to strengthen our positioning as one of the region's preferred getaway destinations, we are confident that his expertise will play a key role in driving sustained growth and enhancing our market presence.”

With this appointment, Novotel Imagicaa Khopoli aims to further enhance its commercial roadmap, reinforcing its reputation as a preferred destination for leisure travellers, corporate guests, and experiential stays.

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