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.


Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Promotes Three Leaders Across Core Hotel Operations

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse Promotes Three Leaders Across Core Hotel Operations

By Hariharan U

Published on July 10, 2026

Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of three associates into key management roles, reaffirming the hotel's commitment to nurturing internal talent and building future hospitality leaders.

Tanushree Paul has been promoted to Front Office Manager, Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been elevated to Executive Housekeeper, and Santhosh Ramanna has assumed the role of Director of Engineering.

Previously serving as Assistant Front Office Manager, Tanushree Paul has established herself as a dependable hospitality professional with a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and team engagement. A graduate in Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology from NSHM School of Hotel Management, she joined Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse in June 2023 and has progressed steadily through her guest-centric approach and consistent performance.

Kaustav Bhattacharjee has been promoted from Housekeeping Manager to Executive Housekeeper after making significant contributions to enhancing housekeeping standards across the hotel. He is recognised for introducing the Small Acts of Kindness initiative, encouraging personalised guest interactions through thoughtful service gestures. A Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Hotel Administration graduate from IHM Guwahati, Kaustav was also honoured with the Clean Warrior Honours by World of Hospitality for his contribution to the HORECA industry.

Santhosh Ramanna has been elevated from Chief Engineer to Director of Engineering in recognition of his leadership in engineering operations, maintenance management and asset upkeep. His efforts in maintaining operational excellence earned him the Best Upkeep and Maintenance Award for Hotels from Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited in 2025. He holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from KSOU Mysore.

Commenting on the promotions, Shiv Bose, General Manager, Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse, said the appointments reflect the strong internal talent pipeline the hotel has built over the years. He noted that Tanushree, Kaustav and Santhosh have each played an important role in strengthening guest experiences, operational consistency and team culture, adding that empowering associates to grow and innovate remains central to the hotel's success.

The latest promotions further reinforce Holiday Inn Bengaluru Racecourse's focus on developing talent from within while creating leadership opportunities that support exceptional guest experiences and long-term operational excellence


Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Appoints Gaurav Jain as Chief Financial Officer

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts Appoints Gaurav Jain as Chief Financial Officer

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 10, 2026

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gaurav Jain as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move comes as the hospitality company continues to expand its presence across India and strengthen its corporate capabilities to support its next phase of growth.

A Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant (ICWA), Gaurav brings over 15 years of experience in strategic finance, corporate governance, business transformation, capital structuring, and IPO readiness. During his career, he has held CXO-level leadership positions across startups, diversified corporate groups, and government-backed institutions, leading initiatives focused on financial governance, operational efficiency, and business transformation.

In his new role, Gaurav will lead Cygnett Hotels & Resorts' financial strategy, strengthen governance frameworks, optimise capital allocation, and support the company's expansion plans. His appointment aligns with the brand's long-term growth strategy as it continues to scale its operations across existing and new markets.

Announcing the appointment, Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett is entering an exciting phase of growth, and building a strong leadership team is central to our long-term vision. Gaurav's diverse experience in strategic finance, governance and business transformation will further strengthen our financial foundation as we continue expanding our presence across existing and new markets. We are pleased to welcome him to the Cygnett family."

Expressing his enthusiasm on joining the company, Gaurav Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, said:

"Cygnett has established itself as one of India's fastest-growing hospitality brands with a clear vision for expansion. I am delighted to join the organisation at this important juncture and look forward to strengthening its financial strategy, enhancing governance standards and supporting sustainable, value-driven growth across the business."

Known for combining financial discipline with strategic business planning, Gaurav has successfully led finance functions across organisations at different stages of growth. His expertise in capital planning, governance, performance optimisation, and long-term value creation is expected to further strengthen Cygnett Hotels & Resorts as it continues its expansion journey across India's hospitality sector.


DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Mayank Takkar as Food & Beverage Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square Appoints Mayank Takkar as Food & Beverage Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 9, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square has announced the appointment of Mayank Takkar as its new Food & Beverage Manager. Bringing over a decade of hospitality experience, Mayank joins the hotel with expertise in food and beverage operations, guest experience, and team leadership.

In his new role, he will oversee the hotel's complete food and beverage portfolio, including its restaurants, bars, banqueting, and in-room dining services. His responsibilities will include strengthening service standards, enhancing culinary experiences, driving revenue growth, and further elevating the hotel's dining offerings in line with Hilton's global hospitality standards.

Before joining DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, Mayank served as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager at Hilton Jaipur, where he managed multiple F&B operations while contributing to revenue growth and guest satisfaction initiatives. During his career, he has also worked with leading hospitality brands such as Marriott Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Westin Gurgaon, Andaz by Hyatt, and Trident Gurgaon.

A graduate in Hotel and Hospitality Management from IHM Gwalior, Mayank has developed strong expertise in food and beverage operations, revenue optimisation, guest relations, event management, service excellence, and team development. He is recognised for his collaborative leadership style and guest-first approach, along with his ability to build high-performing teams and deliver memorable dining experiences.

Commenting on the appointment, Nitin Pathak, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square, said:

"We are pleased to welcome Mayank to the DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square family. Bringing extensive industry experience and strong expertise in Food & Beverage operations, he joins us with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences and driving service excellence. We are confident that his leadership, strategic vision, and operational acumen will further elevate our dining offerings and contribute significantly to enhancing the overall guest experience."

Expressing his excitement about the new role, Mayank Takkar said:

"I am excited to embark on this new journey with DoubleTree by Hilton Gurugram Baani Square. My focus will be on further enhancing the hotel's food and beverage experiences while ensuring our guests receive unique, memorable, and exceptional service. I look forward to working closely with the team to foster a positive work culture and contribute to the continued growth and success of the property."

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