The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Advances Hospitality Leadership with New Upskilling Program

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts Advances Hospitality Leadership with New Upskilling Program

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 29, 2024

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, renowned for its luxurious offerings, has launched the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP) – Class of 2025. This initiative is a strategic move to cultivate future leaders in the hospitality sector. The program kicked off on May 19 with a new batch of candidates at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel and Residences.

In collaboration with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) and Les Roches, a global leader in hospitality education, the LLDP offers a robust 15-month curriculum. Participants engage in a mix of boot camps, classroom sessions, online courses, and practical experiences across various Leela properties.

Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela, emphasized the program's role in fostering a legacy of excellence within the hospitality industry. "Through the Leela Leadership Development Programme and our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity initiatives, we are crafting a pathway for aspiring hospitality professionals to reach their potential and lead the industry forward," he stated.

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The LLDP aims not only to enhance skills but also to fast-track participants into managerial roles, preparing them to handle the complexities of luxury hospitality management. Since its inception in May 2022, the program has already seen two cohorts graduate, poised to make significant contributions to the industry.

Further enriching its commitment to inclusivity, The Leela has also expanded its training initiatives with the Shefs at The Leela programme, launched in 2022 to inspire and support women in culinary arts. This has evolved into a comprehensive development program, aiming to diversify talent in professional kitchens and empower female chefs globally.

For more information about The Leela's educational and professional development offerings, visit The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.


Innu Lama Appointed Cluster L&D Manager for Hilton Bengaluru Portfolio

Innu Lama Appointed Cluster L&D Manager for Hilton Bengaluru Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on April 15, 2026

Hilton has announced the appointment of Innu Lama as Cluster Learning & Development Manager for its Bengaluru portfolio. Her role will span multiple properties, including Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, Hilton Bangalore Embassy GolfLinks, Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Tech Village, and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Tech Village.

Innu Lama brings extensive experience in learning and development across both luxury hospitality and healthcare sectors. She most recently served at Conrad Bengaluru as Learning & Development Manager, where she led leadership training programmes, structured onboarding initiatives, and compliance-focused learning frameworks.

Her career journey also includes key roles at Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, and Sheraton Grand Bengaluru. Across these organisations, she contributed to enhancing service standards, strengthening quality assurance, and building high-performing teams.

Recognised for her strategic outlook and collaborative leadership style, Innu has consistently focused on embedding learning into business outcomes while elevating guest experience standards.

In her new role, she will lead the cluster’s learning strategy, with a strong emphasis on leadership development, talent progression, and cultivating a robust service culture. Her responsibilities include designing and implementing training programmes aligned with Hilton’s global brand standards, while ensuring operational excellence and audit readiness across properties.

This appointment reflects Hilton’s continued commitment to investing in people development and fostering a culture of continuous learning across its Bengaluru cluster.

Part of a global hospitality network, Hilton operates more than 6,800 properties across 122 countries. Its dual-branded presence at Embassy Manyata Business Park, launched in 2022, stands out as one of South India’s largest hotel complexes, offering expansive convention facilities and strategic connectivity within the city.


Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager

Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati Appoints Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 14, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati, which opened in April 2026, has announced the appointment of Samata Danday Chand as Hotel Manager. This move reflects a strong focus on leadership as the property looks to establish itself as a preferred stay for pilgrims, leisure travellers, and corporate guests visiting Tirupati.

In her new role, Samata will lead overall hotel operations, shape guest experiences from the beginning, and guide the property’s growth during its early phase and beyond.

With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Samata brings deep expertise in operations, guest engagement, and team leadership. She is known for building strong teams and maintaining consistent service standards across roles.

She began her journey with IHCL Taj Hotels, where she spent close to ten years as an executive housekeeper. During this time, she handled several pre-opening projects and major renovation initiatives, building a strong base in operations and execution. She later moved into Learning & Development, where she focused on improving team skills and strengthening workplace culture.

Over the years, Samata has taken on senior leadership roles such as operations manager and director of rooms, where she managed overall hotel operations. Most recently, she served as Executive Assistant Manager – Rooms at JW Marriott Bengaluru Golfshire, contributing to guest experience and operational performance.

Speaking on her appointment, Samata Danday Chand said,

"Tirupati is a destination that holds profound meaning for millions of people. As a team, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to match that significance with an experience that is seamless, warm, and truly memorable. Our goal is to ensure that every guest, whether a pilgrim seeking solace, a family on a cherished trip, or a corporate traveller on the move, enjoys a stay that is comfortable, effortless, and exceptional in every sense. That is the standard we are setting for ourselves from day one."

Known for her people-first leadership style, Samata brings a balanced approach to her role. She is also passionate about travelling, long-distance driving, and practices yoga regularly, reflecting a disciplined yet mindful way of leading teams.

With Samata Danday Chand leading the operations, Courtyard by Marriott Tirupati is set to build a strong presence in the region and deliver a consistent and comfortable stay experience from the very beginning.


Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Vishal Singh as Assistant F&B Manager

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad Promotes Vishal Singh as Assistant F&B Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on April 13, 2026

Marriott Executive Apartments Hyderabad has announced the promotion of Vishal Singh as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening internal leadership.

With over eight years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vishal steps into his new role with a strong foundation in food and beverage operations, team leadership, and guest engagement. Having been an integral part of the property, he has consistently contributed to delivering high-quality dining experiences while enhancing operational efficiency.

Vishal’s professional journey reflects diverse experience across leading hospitality brands. Prior to this promotion, he has worked with Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre Hyderabad, Pullman New Delhi, and Fairfield by Marriott Goa, gaining a well-rounded perspective on service excellence and operational management. He began his career with an internship at JW Marriott Kolkata, laying the foundation for his growth in the industry.

Known for his hands-on leadership style and keen understanding of evolving guest preferences, Vishal has played a key role in enhancing the property’s food and beverage offerings. His ability to balance operational efficiency with guest-centric service has been instrumental in driving consistent performance.

In his new capacity, he will oversee food and beverage operations across the property, ensuring seamless service delivery while continuing to innovate and elevate guest experiences in line with global standards set by Marriott International.

This promotion underscores the property’s focus on people-first leadership and its commitment to developing talent from within.

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