Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels appoints Rohit Kakra as Chief Operating Officer for Flurys

Rohit brings over 23 years of F&B retail experience across Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut, Awfis, Compass Group India and other brands.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) has appointed Rohit Kakra as Chief Operating Officer for Flurys.

In his role, Kakra will oversee the operations of the Company’s iconic bakery & confectionary brand Flurys. Based out of the Delhi office, his primary focus areas include strengthening operational efficiencies across the brand, enhancing overall performance metrics, and driving the company’s long-term strategic objectives.

Experience in F&B retail

With over 23 years of extensive experience in the F&B retail sector, Kakra brings proven expertise in scaling retail footprints and optimizing complex operational structures. Over the course of his career, he has held prominent leadership roles at Costa Coffee and Pizza Hut, most recently as COO for Costa Coffee at Devyani International Limited.

Prior to this, he held the positions of Vice President – Operations at Awfis Space Solutions Limited, General Manager – Operations at Compass Group India where he managed key accounts including Google and Deloitte. He has also been associated with Paradise Group, Jubilant Food Works and Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt Limited (McDonald’s India).

Leadership commentary

Commenting on the appointment, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited, said, “We are delighted to welcome Rohit to Flurys at a pivotal stage in the brand’s growth journey. Today, Flurys operates 110+ outlets across India and is on track to reach 120 outlets shortly, while continuing to deliver double-digit revenue growth. Rohit’s proven expertise in scaling national F&B brands and driving operational excellence will play a key role as we accelerate expansion, strengthen execution and build long-term value for the business.”

Rohit Kakra on his appointment

Rohit Kakra, Chief Operating Officer, Flurys, ASPHL said, “Flurys is not just an iconic asset in ASHPL’s portfolio; it is a legendary heritage brand with nearly a century of deep-rooted brand affinity and customer loyalty. I am incredibly honoured to lead the brand through this exciting phase of growth, especially as we approach its centenary year. My focus will be on driving disciplined scale-up across different formats, streamlining operational efficiencies, and delivering the signature Flurys experience to new geographical markets like Delhi / NCR, Pune and Bangalore.”

Victor Clavell appointed as chief operating officer of Aman Group

He will oversee global operations of the luxury hospitality and lifestyle group

Victor Clavell has been named as chief operating officer of luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand Aman Group.

Known for its collection of ultra-luxury hotels, resorts and branded residences, the group has properties around the globe – including an upcoming luxury hotel and –private residence collection in Dubai as well as the anticipated Janu Dubai.

As the new COO, Clavell is based at Aman’s Swiss corporate office and reports directly to chairman and CEO, Vlad Doronin. He will oversee global operations to ensure the highest standards of guest experience, consistency, and financial performance across all brands.

Clavell brings more than three decades of senior operational, brand and development experience to the role, from positions across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. He has held roles in luxury hospitality brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, W Hotels, Rosewood and Urban Resort Concepts. 

Clavell joins from Urban Resort Concepts in Hong Kong, where he was chief executive officer, leading the repositioning and global expansion of The PuLi Group across hospitality, residences and retail. Prior to this, he was senior vice president and managing director, EMEAC at Rosewood Hotel Group.

“Aman has set the benchmark for luxury hospitality for more than three decades and I am delighted to join the company as it continues to evolve,” said Clavell. “As Aman Group grows across new brands and business verticals, my focus will be on ensuring operational excellence while supporting the thoughtful, strategic development that builds on the brand’s remarkable legacy. I look forward to working closely with the team to strengthen the foundations of the group as we enter this next phase.”

Chairman and CEO of Aman Group, Vlad Doronin added, “Victor’s global expertise, operational discipline and deep understanding of luxury hospitality make him an exceptional addition to Aman Group’s leadership team. His proven ability to elevate brand performance, lead complex multimarket portfolios, and deliver transformative results will be invaluable as we continue to evolve Aman globally.”

Kouzina Food Tech Appoints Geetika Anand Gupta as Group Chief Marketing Officer

·       Geetika will continue in her role while taking on the additional responsibility of leading brand strategy, consumer marketing, innovation-led growth, & business excellence initiatives across the Kouzina ecosystem.

·       The appointment comes at a strategic phase of growth for Kouzina as it continues to strengthen its portfolio of digital-first food brands & accelerate its vision of building India’s most scalable technology-led food services platform.

New Delhi / Bengaluru, India - June 2026: Kouzina Food Tech Pvt. Ltd., one of India’s fastest-growing food-tech and cloud kitchen platforms, has announced the appointment of Geetika Anand Gupta as the Group Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Geetika will continue in her role as the CEO & Co-founder of MOPP Foods, which is a Kouzina Food Tech Company, while taking on the additional responsibility of leading brand strategy, consumer marketing, product innovation, customer experience, innovation-led growth, and business excellence initiatives across Kouzina’s portfolio of brands and partner network.

The appointment comes at a strategic phase of growth for Kouzina as it continues to strengthen its portfolio of digital-first food brands and accelerate its vision of building India’s most scalable technology-led food services platform.

Commenting on the appointment, Gautam Balijepalli, Founder & CEO, Kouzina Food Tech, said: “Geetika brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial grit, deep consumer understanding, operational excellence, and brand-building capability. Over the years, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to create customer love while building scalable food businesses. As Kouzina enters its next phase of growth, her leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening our brands, driving innovation, and building a world-class consumer experience across our portfolio."

He further added: "Kouzina has always believed that technology, data, and strong consumer brands together create sustainable competitive advantage. Geetika's proven track record of building differentiated food brands and her passion for excellence make her the ideal leader to help us scale the next generation of food brands across India."

Speaking about her expanded role, Geetika Anand Gupta said: "I am excited to take on the responsibility of Group CMO at Kouzina while continuing my entrepreneurial journey with MOPP Foods. Kouzina has built one of the most exciting food-tech platforms in India, combining technology, operations, and consumer insight at scale. I look forward to working closely with Gautam and the leadership team to strengthen our brands, deepen customer engagement, drive innovation, and contribute towards building category-defining food brands for the future."

The appointment further reinforces Kouzina’s commitment to bringing together entrepreneurial leaders and industry experts as it continues its journey toward becoming India’s leading technology-driven food services platform.

Geetika Anand Gupta is widely recognized in the food and beverage industry for building customer-centric brands and driving product innovation. Under her leadership, MOPP Foods has established itself as one of the most loved food brands in the Delhi-NCR region, known for brands such as Mad Over Parathas & Pakodas and its focus on quality, customer experience, and delivery-led innovation.

Antara Cruises Appoints Vineet Arora as Chief Operating Officer

Delhi, April, 2025 – Antara Cruises, a pioneer in the river cruising industry, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vineet Arora as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). With over 22 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Mr. Arora brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Antara Cruises.

Mr. Arora has made significant strides in his distinguished career, including his earlier tenure as VP at Antara Cruises, where he played an essential role in leading the development of the world’s longest river cruise project. During this time, he also contributed to the brand’s growth and positioning in the luxury river cruise segment. Prior to rejoining Antara Cruises as COO, he was successfully involved in building a hospitality company that operates 25 resorts from the ground up, demonstrating remarkable leadership and strategic foresight. His well-rounded expertise spans operations, sales, marketing, and business development across both established brands and emerging startups, underscoring his adaptability and deep industry insight.

Mr. Raj Singh, Founder & Chairman, Antara Cruises - Heritage River Journeys Pvt Ltd. welcomed his appointment, stating "Vineet’s leadership and deep understanding of hospitality and cruise operations make him a perfect fit for Antara Cruises. His expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of our heritage river journeys, ensuring that we continue to set new benchmarks in the industry".

Commenting on his new role, Mr. Vineet Arora stated, "It’s a great pleasure to join Antara Cruises in its mission to redefine luxury river cruising. I look forward to enhancing guest experiences, promoting sustainability, and making a meaningful impact on the local community and the company."

Antara Cruises is renowned for its commitment to sustainable, and community-enhancing river cruise tourism. The company offers unique experiences along India's majestic rivers, emphasizing the preservation of local cultures and environments.

Chalet Hotels Limited appoints Gaurav Singh as Chief Operating Officer

Mumbai, January 2025: Chalet Hotels Limited, a leading hospitality company renowned for its high end hotel portfolio and commercial real estate, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gaurav Singh as its Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 15, 2025. 

 In his new role, Gaurav will be focusing on asset management, driving operational excellence, ensuring efficiency to strengthen the business and design scalable processes for Chalet Hotels. With a robust portfolio and an ambitious pipeline of additional rooms, Chalet is poised for significant growth, and Gaurav’s leadership backed with 26 years of experience in hospitality will play a crucial role in steering this exciting journey.

Commenting on his appointment, Gaurav Singh said, “I am excited to join Chalet Hotels at such a transformative phase in its journey. With a strong foundation already in place, I look forward to working with the talented team at Chalet to build an exceptional hotel company that resonates with both our guests and stakeholders.” 

 Dr. Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director and CEO of Chalet Hotels Ltd., said, "Gaurav brings with him a deep understanding of the hospitality industry, coupled with a proven track record in driving operational excellence and innovation. His strategic vision and leadership will undoubtedly strengthen Chalet’s position as a leader in the Indian hospitality landscape. With Gaurav at the helm of operations, I am confident that the company is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious growth objectives and deliver exceptional experiences to our guests.”