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.


Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata Strengthens Rooms Division with Two Key Leadership Appointments

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata Strengthens Rooms Division with Two Key Leadership Appointments

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre has strengthened its Rooms Division leadership team with the appointment of Sudipta Paul as Housekeeping Manager and the promotion of Somosubhra Mukherjee as Front Office Manager.

With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Sudipta Paul joins the hotel with expertise in housekeeping operations, hygiene management, operational efficiency, and guest experience. Prior to this appointment, he served as Assistant Housekeeping Manager at The St. Regis Goa Resort, where he played a key role in enhancing guest satisfaction and operational excellence. His professional journey also includes leadership assignments with Marriott International, Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, and international exposure through Hilton Al Seef Dubai.

In his new role, Sudipta will lead the hotel's housekeeping operations, focusing on maintaining high cleanliness standards, enhancing guest satisfaction, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement while developing high-performing teams.

Alongside this appointment, the hotel has promoted Somosubhra Mukherjee to Front Office Manager. Bringing more than 11 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has built a strong reputation for operational excellence, guest service, and team leadership. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Radisson, The LaLiT Group of Hotels, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

Somosubhra joined Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre in 2023 as Duty Manager before being promoted to Assistant Front Office Manager in 2025. In his new position, he will oversee front office operations with a focus on delivering seamless guest experiences, strengthening operational efficiency, and enhancing service excellence.

Commenting on the appointments, Somrup Chanda, General Manager, Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre, said, "At Fairfield by Marriott Kolkata & Ozone Convention Centre, our people are our greatest strength, and investing in capable leaders is integral to delivering exceptional guest experiences. We are delighted to welcome Sudipta Paul as Housekeeping Manager and congratulate Somosubhra Mukherjee on his well-deserved promotion to Front Office Manager. Their combined expertise, operational excellence, and passion for hospitality will further strengthen our Rooms Division, elevate service standards, and reinforce our commitment to creating memorable experiences for every guest."

The appointments reflect the hotel's continued focus on nurturing talent, strengthening operational leadership, and enhancing guest experiences through experienced professionals.


Novotel Jodhpur Appoints Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager

Novotel Jodhpur Appoints Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Novotel Jodhpur has announced the appointment of Radhika Rathore as Revenue & Reservation Manager, further strengthening its commercial leadership team as the hotel continues to focus on revenue optimisation and operational excellence.

A hospitality professional with extensive experience in revenue management and reservations, Radhika brings expertise in strategic pricing, demand forecasting, inventory optimisation, distribution management, and commercial planning. In her new role, she will oversee the hotel's revenue strategy, pricing, market segmentation, forecasting, distribution channels, inventory management, and reservation operations.

Before joining Novotel Jodhpur, Radhika held key positions within Accor's portfolio at Fairmont Jaipur and Fairmont Mumbai, where she progressed through the reservations function while contributing to revenue growth and operational efficiency. Her analytical approach, collaborative leadership style, and understanding of market dynamics have established her as a results-driven commercial professional.

Working closely with the Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams, she will focus on driving sustainable revenue growth while maintaining seamless reservation processes and delivering an enhanced guest experience.

Welcoming her to the hotel, the management of Novotel Jodhpur said Radhika's experience in revenue management, strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence will play an important role in strengthening the hotel's commercial performance and supporting its continued growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Radhika Rathore said she is honoured to join Novotel Jodhpur and looks forward to implementing data-driven revenue strategies, strengthening reservation operations, and contributing to the hotel's commercial success while creating memorable guest experiences.

Her appointment reflects Novotel Jodhpur's continued focus on building a high-performing leadership team that supports the hotel's vision of delivering world-class hospitality, innovative guest experiences, and sustainable business growth.

Part of the Accor portfolio, Novotel Jodhpur offers contemporary accommodation, dining experiences, event facilities, and hospitality inspired by the cultural heritage of Rajasthan's Blue City.


Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim Appoint Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture

By Hariharan U

Published on July 14, 2026

Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim have announced the appointment of Rebecca Rodrigues as Associate Director of People & Culture, further strengthening the leadership team across the two Accor-managed properties in North Goa.

With more than 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Rebecca brings expertise in talent management, hotel pre-openings, organisational transformation, employee engagement, and leadership development. In her new role, she will lead the People & Culture function across both hotels, driving strategic talent initiatives, enhancing employee engagement, strengthening leadership capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Rebecca began her hospitality career with Country Inn & Suites by Carlson before joining Hyatt Hotels, where she played an integral role in the pre-opening of Hyatt Centric Goa Candolim and Hyatt Place Goa. These assignments helped build her expertise in establishing people practices and developing high-performing teams from the ground up.

She later joined Hilton Goa Resort, where she quickly progressed into a cluster leadership position. Within 18 months, she was entrusted with leading the pre-opening of Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute while simultaneously overseeing people strategy across both Hilton properties.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and strong change management capabilities, Rebecca is passionate about building inclusive workplace cultures that empower employees to grow. Her people-centric philosophy focuses on empathy, continuous learning, and operational excellence to create meaningful employee experiences.

Welcoming her to the organisation, Amit Sangwan, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa and Novotel Goa Candolim, said Rebecca's extensive hospitality experience and passion for nurturing talent make her a valuable addition to the leadership team. He noted that her people-first approach aligns with Accor's commitment to creating an inclusive and inspiring workplace where its Heartists® can thrive.

He further added that her appointment comes at an important phase for both hotels, with Novotel Goa Resort & Spa preparing for the renovation of its guest rooms by the fourth quarter of 2026 while continuing to strengthen its position as one of Goa's preferred destinations for families, MICE travellers, and pet-friendly stays. Novotel Goa Candolim, meanwhile, continues to enhance its leisure offerings and remains one of North Goa's leading hospitality destinations.

Rebecca's appointment reinforces Accor's continued focus on investing in people and leadership development while supporting the operational growth of its hospitality portfolio in Goa.

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