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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.
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.
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.
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.
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By Hariharan U
Published on June 23, 2026
Grand Mercure Bangalore has announced the appointment of Tarushree Singh as its new Director of Sales & Marketing, strengthening the property’s commercial leadership as it continues to consolidate its position as a leading all-suite business hotel in Koramangala.
With over 18 years of experience in the Indian hospitality industry, Tarushree brings extensive expertise across commercial strategy, revenue management, and business development. She has worked with leading hospitality brands including The Oberoi Group, ITC Hotels, Accor, Radisson Hotel Group, and The Oterra.
In her most recent role as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Oterra, Bengaluru, she led the property to its highest-ever revenue performance while driving significant growth in average daily rate (ADR). Her performance earned her the “Leader of the Year” recognition for delivering the highest annual revenue growth since the hotel’s inception.
Over the course of her career, she has held key positions across multiple properties in Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, including Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi, Novotel Pune, Novotel HICC Hyderabad, and ibis & Novotel Bengaluru Techpark.
Commenting on the appointment, General Manager Parag Shah said Tarushree brings strong strategic clarity and deep market understanding, particularly of Bengaluru’s evolving hospitality landscape. He added that her proven ability to drive revenue growth in competitive markets makes her well-suited to lead the hotel’s commercial strategy.
Tarushree Singh said Koramangala sits at the intersection of Bengaluru’s startup ecosystem, corporate demand, and a vibrant lifestyle scene. She noted that Grand Mercure Bangalore is uniquely positioned to serve these segments and outlined her focus on strengthening corporate partnerships, expanding MICE opportunities, and growing the extended stay segment.
With this appointment, Grand Mercure Bangalore aims to further strengthen its commercial performance and reinforce its position in one of Bengaluru’s most dynamic hospitality markets.
ibis Hotels has announced the appointment of Mahi Teja as General Manager of ibis Coimbatore City Centre. The appointment marks a significant leadership milestone for the hospitality professional, who brings close to 14 years of industry experience across sales, hotel operations, and business management.
Mahi joins the Coimbatore property after building a diverse career with leading hospitality brands, including Accor and Hyatt Hotels. Having started his journey in sales, he has progressively expanded his expertise across commercial functions, revenue management, guest experience, and operational leadership.
Over the years, he has held multiple roles within the Accor network, gaining experience across both commercial and operational domains. This blend of expertise has helped shape a leadership style focused on business performance, guest satisfaction, and talent development.
In his new role, Mahi will oversee the strategic and operational direction of ibis Coimbatore City Centre, with a focus on strengthening service excellence, driving business growth, and fostering high-performing teams.
Commenting on the appointment, Tejus Jose said Mahi’s journey within Accor reflects his commitment to continuous learning, operational excellence, and collaborative leadership. He noted that Mahi’s understanding of both commercial and operational functions positions him well to lead the hotel through its next phase of growth.
A strong advocate of professional development, Mahi has completed several leadership programmes through Accor Academy, including the International Emerging Leaders Programme (2020), the General Leadership Programme (2023), and the MEA APAC Master’s Programme – General Manager in Making (2025).
Most recently, he served as Hotel Operations Manager at ibis Bengaluru Hosur Road, where he played a key role in enhancing operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, revenue performance, and team development.
Speaking on his appointment, Mahi expressed enthusiasm about leading the Coimbatore property, highlighting his focus on delivering memorable guest experiences, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring operational excellence.
The appointment reinforces Accor’s continued investment in leadership development as it expands the ibis brand footprint across India and strengthens its presence in key business and travel destinations.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on June 22, 2026
Chennais Amirta International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has announced the appointment of Abanindra Nath Biswal as the Principal of its Chengalpattu Campus, strengthening the institution's leadership with a seasoned hospitality professional who brings more than three decades of industry experience.
Biswal has been part of the hotel industry since 1992 and has held several leadership positions across renowned hospitality brands in India and overseas. Prior to taking up his new role, he served as Executive Chef at Grande Bay Resort, Mahabalipuram, a position he held from May 2022. He also worked as Chef at Radisson Blu Chennai Egmore between January 2021 and May 2022.
Throughout his career, Biswal has built expertise in culinary operations, strategic planning, food and beverage management, quality compliance, and client servicing. His professional journey includes leadership roles at Mangifera Cuisines Chennai, Clarion Hotel Chennai, Holland America Line USA, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, Aloft Bangalore, Chancery Hotel Bangalore, Fortune Kences Hotel Tirupati, Hotel Swosti Plaza, The Park Hotel Kolkata, Star Cruise Singapore, and Taj Connemara Chennai.
Known for his strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, Biswal has worked in multicultural environments and is proficient in multiple languages. His experience spans hotel operations, large-scale banqueting, outdoor catering, menu development, quality management, and team leadership.
Over the years, he has successfully managed large hospitality operations, including hotels with extensive banquet facilities, specialty restaurants, and large outdoor catering events. His portfolio includes handling major events such as Aero Show 2007, IPL matches, and large-scale corporate functions catering to thousands of guests. He has also played a key role in introducing Italian, Western, and Mediterranean menus, standardising recipes, implementing operational procedures, and enhancing business performance through innovative food concepts.
Biswal's achievements extend beyond hotel operations. He has been actively involved in hospitality education and training, serving as an External Examiner for food production at Canon School of Catering and Hotel Management, Chennai, and I.H.M Bangalore for several years. He has also participated in food festivals, culinary competitions, and industry development programmes throughout his career.
Academically, Biswal is an alumnus of Tamil Nadu Open University and I.H.M. Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was recognised as an institute topper during his hotel management studies and received the Best Cocktail Award at the 1st All India All Rounders Competition held at IHM Dadar, Mumbai. He has also completed Niveaux Un and Niveaux Deux at Alliance Francais Chennai.
In addition, he is a member of the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), which is affiliated with the World Association of Chefs.
With his extensive industry exposure and commitment to hospitality education, Abanindra Nath Biswal is expected to play a significant role in strengthening academic excellence and industry-oriented learning at the Chennais Amirta IIHM Chengalpattu Campus.
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