The Westin Pune Welcomes New Leadership Team

The Westin Pune Welcomes New Leadership Team

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 11, 2024

The Westin Pune is excited to announce the appointment of three seasoned professionals to its leadership team. Arpan Kakde steps in as the Director of Food and Beverage, Suman Kundu takes on the role of Front Office Manager, and Shivangi Tijare becomes the Director of Catering Sales. Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in their respective fields, poised to elevate the hotel's renowned service and guest experiences.

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Arpan Kakde: Director of Food and Beverage

Arpan Kakde brings extensive expertise in managing luxury restaurants and overseeing large-scale food and beverage operations. His leadership is expected to significantly enhance the dining experiences at The Westin Pune. Known for his passion for delivering exceptional guest satisfaction, Arpan's innovative approach to food and beverage management promises to set new benchmarks in hospitality for the hotel.

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Suman Kundu: Front Office Manager

Suman Kundu joins the team with a rich background in managing high-pressure environments and ensuring top-notch guest services. His role as Front Office Manager will focus on curating memorable guest experiences, fostering strong guest relations, and driving guest satisfaction. Having honed his skills at prestigious properties like St. Regis Mumbai, Suman's dynamic approach and leadership are anticipated to guide his team towards achieving collective goals.

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Shivangi Tijare: Director of Catering Sales

Shivangi Tijare brings a decade of experience working at renowned hotels both in India and abroad. Her dedication to surpassing sales targets and creating unforgettable experiences for social events will be crucial in achieving The Westin Pune’s priorities and revenue goals. Shivangi's expertise in catering sales is expected to play a pivotal role in the hotel's ongoing success.

Sudeep Sharma, the General Manager of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, "We are elated to welcome a dynamic leadership team on board. Each brings a unique set of skills and experiences that perfectly align with our vision for excellence. I am confident that their contributions will significantly enhance our guest experiences and drive our success to new heights. Our commitment to providing unparalleled service and memorable stays is reinforced with these exceptional leaders at the helm."

With these strategic appointments, The Westin Pune is poised to continue delivering exceptional hospitality experiences, ensuring every guest enjoys a stay marked by excellence and comfort.


Rosetta Hospitality Appoints Aditya Mata as General Manager of Rosetta Sakleshpur

Rosetta Hospitality Appoints Aditya Mata as General Manager of Rosetta Sakleshpur

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 10, 2026

Rosetta Hospitality has announced the appointment of Mr. Aditya Mata as the new General Manager of Rosetta Sakleshpur, its flagship luxury resort set within a 100-acre coffee estate in Sakleshpur, Karnataka.

Mr. Mata brings over three decades of senior leadership experience in the hospitality industry, with deep expertise in luxury resort and city hotel operations across India and select international markets. His career spans leadership roles with several renowned hospitality brands, including The Oberoi Group, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Essque Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Zuri Hotels & Resorts.

Most recently, Mr. Mata served as Group General Manager at Cocoa Collection Hotels in Kenya. He has also held the position of General Manager at Essque Hotels, Zanzibar, where he led a structured post-pandemic revival. His international experience reflects a strong focus on disciplined operations, people-centric leadership, and consistently delivering high-quality guest experiences in complex resort environments.

Known for his balanced leadership approach, Mr. Mata combines operational rigour with a deep understanding of evolving guest expectations. This philosophy closely aligns with Rosetta Hospitality’s vision of conscious, experience-led luxury rooted in authenticity and thoughtful design.

In his new role, Mr. Mata will oversee all aspects of operations at Rosetta Sakleshpur. His focus will be on strengthening service excellence, enhancing experiential offerings, and driving sustainable growth while preserving the resort’s close connection to nature and regional culture.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Jai Sreedhar, Joint Managing Director & CEO, Rosetta Hospitality, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Aditya Mata to Rosetta Hospitality. His extensive leadership experience across luxury resorts and his ability to steer complex operations with clarity and empathy make him an excellent fit for Rosetta Sakleshpur. Aditya’s deep understanding of service excellence, team leadership, and destination-led hospitality aligns strongly with our vision of conscious luxury. We are confident he will further strengthen the guest experience at the property.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Mr. Aditya Mata said, “Rosetta Sakleshpur represents a rare blend of nature, thoughtful luxury, and authentic experiences. I am honoured to join Rosetta Hospitality at a time when travellers are seeking deeper, more meaningful connections with destinations. My focus will be on nurturing a strong team culture, enhancing guest journeys, and ensuring that every experience reflects the warmth, care, and consciousness that the brand stands for.”

Mr. Mata is a graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and an alumnus of The Oberoi School of Hotel Management, New Delhi. His appointment reflects Rosetta Hospitality’s continued emphasis on experienced leadership to strengthen its portfolio. Under his guidance, Rosetta Sakleshpur will continue to reinforce its position as a refined luxury retreat centred on wellness, authenticity, and curated guest experiences.


Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Appoint Natarajan Balasubramanian as Commercial Director

Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Appoint Natarajan Balasubramanian as Commercial Director

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 10, 2026

Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park have announced the appointment of Natarajan Balasubramanian as Commercial Director, marking a significant addition to the leadership team across both properties.

With over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Natarajan brings strong expertise in sales strategy, revenue management, market positioning, and team leadership. In his new role, he will oversee the complete commercial function, including sales, marketing, business development, and strategic partnerships. His focus will be on driving sustained growth across corporate, MICE, leisure, and social segments.

Before joining Hilton, Natarajan held senior leadership roles with leading hospitality brands such as The Leela Group, Grand Hyatt Kochi, The Westin, and Le Méridien. Over the years, he has consistently demonstrated sharp business acumen by diversifying revenue streams, enhancing brand visibility, and delivering results in competitive markets. He has also played an important role in expanding residential weddings and strengthening both government and private sector business portfolios.

Natarajan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Catering Science from Madurai Kamaraj University. He is known for his strategic thinking, collaborative leadership approach, and ability to build high-performing teams while nurturing long-term client relationships.

In his new role, Natarajan will work closely with the leadership teams at Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park to enhance market share, drive revenue performance, and strengthen the hotels’ positioning as preferred destinations for business and leisure travellers in North Bengaluru.


Renaissance Goa Hotel Appoints Johny Joy as Director of Operations

Renaissance Goa Hotel Appoints Johny Joy as Director of Operations

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 10, 2026

Renaissance Goa Hotel has announced the appointment of Mr. Johny Joy as its Director of Operations. With more than 14 years of leadership experience across international luxury hospitality brands, Johny brings a strong operational approach, people-first leadership, and proven expertise in managing large, full-service hotel environments. His appointment comes at a key moment, as the hotel builds momentum following its recent launch and begins its journey as one of Goa’s newest lifestyle destinations.

Johny’s professional journey includes key operational roles across leading hotel brands, where he has consistently driven excellence across rooms, food and beverage, and support functions. Known for his hands-on and collaborative leadership style, he has successfully managed complex hotel operations with multiple dining venues, extensive recreational facilities, and large-scale banquet and event spaces. His core strength lies in translating brand standards into smooth on-ground execution while building high-performing, guest-focused teams.

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His leadership has also earned industry recognition. Johny was honoured as the Hotel F&B Manager of the Year, 2024 by the FHRAI, reflecting his continued focus on operational excellence, innovation, and elevated guest satisfaction. Beyond day-to-day operations, he has a keen interest in evolving hospitality trends, travel, and creative concepts that shape modern guest experiences.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Johny Joy, Director of Operations, Renaissance Goa Hotel, said, “Renaissance is a brand that celebrates discovery, creativity, and authentic experiences. Being part of the launch phase of Renaissance Goa is both exciting and deeply rewarding. I look forward to working closely with the team to build strong operational foundations, deliver engaging guest experiences, and create a hotel that truly reflects the spirit of its destination.” He added, “Operational excellence is the result of focused teams executing simple things flawlessly, and that philosophy will guide everything we build here.”

Welcoming the appointment, Ms. Roopa Singh, General Manager, Renaissance Goa Hotel, said, “As a newly launched property, establishing strong operational leadership is critical to our long-term success. Johny’s depth of experience, pre-opening expertise, and clarity of execution make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. His ability to build high-performing teams while maintaining operational rigour will play an important role in shaping a distinctive and successful journey for the hotel.”

With this appointment, Renaissance Goa Hotel further strengthens its leadership team as it continues to grow post launch. Johny’s operational expertise, strategic insight, and collaborative leadership style are expected to play a key role in positioning the hotel as a vibrant, experience-led lifestyle destination in the region.

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