WHSmith India has appointed Shantanu Chakravartty as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director, marking a major milestone in its journey to redefine travel retail in India. A dynamic leader with more than 15 years of experience in the travel retail space, Shantanu steps into this role with an ambitious vision: to triple the company’s revenue and expand its store presence fivefold in the next four years.

Over the past seven years, Shantanu has already shaped WHSmith India’s most defining chapters. From navigating the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he helped safeguard over 20,000 jobs, to spearheading strategic digital upgrades, his impact has been both stabilizing and transformative.

“I’ve always believed disruption is an invitation to rebuild stronger,” said Shantanu. “That’s why we created the Airport Services Association of India—to ensure the industry stayed resilient through 2020 and 2021.”

Today, WHSmith India operates 40 stores across India’s metro stations, airports, and university campuses. Under Shantanu’s leadership, the brand now aims to increase its footprint by 5x and grow revenue from ₹200 crores to ₹500 crores in the next three years.

“Retail is not just a business—it’s a platform to create livelihoods and opportunities,” he added. “Every new store we open is another chance for people to grow, thrive, and find a future in this industry.”

Beyond numbers, Shantanu’s strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience, merchandising logic, and supply chain excellence—transforming WHSmith stores into high-engagement retail hubs, even in short dwell-time locations like airports and stations.

“From business flyers to leisure travellers, our goal is convenience, consistency, and delight,” he said. “WHSmith stores are no longer just transit points—they’re travel companions.”

Known for his hands-on leadership, Shantanu is deeply invested in mentoring frontline teams and empowering staff feedback loops. He also serves pro bono as General Secretary of the Airport Services Association of India, playing a key role in shaping industry policies and promoting collaborative growth.

As India’s aviation industry gears up for exponential growth, WHSmith India is positioning itself to lead the charge—with tech-led operations, a people-first culture, and scalable infrastructure that meets the needs of tomorrow’s travellers.

Eros Hotel New Delhi, the iconic luxury business hotel at Nehru Place, has announced the appointment of Meenakshi Chatterjee as its new Marketing, PR & Communication Manager. With over a decade of experience in strategic brand communications, Meenakshi is set to drive integrated marketing efforts for the hotel, strengthening its brand positioning across platforms.

In her new role, she will lead the execution of compelling public relations and marketing campaigns while also managing digital communications and social media engagement. Her experience spans renowned hospitality names like Karma Lakelands, Pullman and Novotel, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, and The Leela Ambience Gurugram, along with a recent stint as Marketing Manager at Rasandik Engineering Industries.

Davinder Juj, General Manager, Eros Hotel New Delhi, welcomed her appointment stating,

“Meenakshi is an energetic marketing professional with a good track record of working with renowned hospitality brands. I think that her experience and hands-on approach make her a great fit for our team. I look forward to seeing her translate her vision into impactful campaigns that strengthen the hotel.”

Sharing her enthusiasm, Meenakshi Chatterjee said,

“I’m truly grateful to be part of such a prestigious brand. Eros Hotel has a rich legacy and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth through creative, data-driven, and customer-focused marketing strategies.”

Outside of her professional life, Meenakshi is passionate about writing, bringing her love for storytelling and creativity into her work with authenticity and enthusiasm.

With this appointment, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues its commitment to building a dynamic leadership team focused on innovation, brand elevation, and excellence in guest experience.

Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad has announced the promotion of Siddhu Birajdar to the role of Director of Sales – MICE & Event, recognising his remarkable journey and expertise in the hospitality industry.

With over 11 years of experience, Siddhu has built a strong foundation in luxury sales, event sales, and large MICE segment management, coupled with proactive sales leadership. His career began in 2014 at Hyatt Pune, where he gained first-hand operational exposure in the luxury hospitality space. He then expanded his reach across North India, managing event and group sales at Crowne Plaza Gurgaon (IHG) and later at Andaz Delhi, a luxury lifestyle hotel in Aerocity, New Delhi.

Siddhu later returned to Western India, playing a key role in the pre-opening of Radisson Blu Nashik, followed by a successful tenure at JW Marriott Pune as Senior Sales Manager, where he nurtured client relationships and excelled in proactive sales strategies.

In March 2023, Siddhu joined Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad as Assistant Director of Event Sales. Through consistent performance and a client-first approach, he quickly advanced to Director of Event Sales, and has now been promoted to lead the MICE & Event Sales division as Director.

What sets Siddhu apart is his inspiring journey from the Housekeeping Department to the Sales Leadership Team. A strong believer in the mantra "Nothing is Impossible", Siddhu credits his growth to the supportive mentorship at Hyatt and his passion for learning. His early cross-training experience helped him build a well-rounded understanding of hotel operations, allowing him to integrate service excellence with strategic sales performance.

This elevation marks a proud milestone in Siddhu’s career and reflects Hyatt’s commitment to recognising talent, nurturing internal growth, and empowering future leaders in hospitality.