Novotel Pune Nagar Road has appointed Anshuman Ghoshal, an HR professional with more than 15 years’ experience, as its Director of People & Culture.
Read MoreThe hospitality leader brings over two decades of experience across hotel operations, commercial performance and people leadership as Accor advances the growth of its midscale brands in India.
Accor has appointed Deeppreet Bindra as Director – ibis & ibis Styles India, as the hospitality group continues to strengthen its presence and expand the two brands across the country.
In his new role, Bindra will lead the strategic and operational performance of ibis and ibis Styles in India, focusing on portfolio growth, commercial performance, guest experience and team development. He will work closely with hotel teams and partners to strengthen brand performance and support continued growth across established and emerging markets.
Bindra brings over two decades of experience across the service and hospitality sectors, with expertise spanning hotel operations, commercial performance, sales, guest experience and people leadership. His career includes leadership roles with American Express, Kingfisher Airlines, The Oberoi Group and Marriott International, where he gained experience across hotel operations and business performance.
His contribution to the hospitality industry has been recognised through several accolades, including General Manager of the Year – Upper Upscale at BW Hotelier 2026; General Manager of the Year at the FHRAI Annual Convention 2025; General Manager of the Year at Hotelier India 2022; and General Manager of the Year – Consumer Operations at the Marriott APEC Conference 2021.
Most recently, Bindra held leadership roles with Marriott International, where he led hotel operations and commercial performance while developing engaged teams.
The appointment comes at an important phase in the development of ibis and ibis Styles in India. While ibis offers accessible and reliable hospitality, ibis Styles brings a distinctive, design-led proposition. Both brands are positioned to serve the evolving needs of India’s domestic and business travel markets.
Bindra will focus on building on this foundation, driving business performance and delivering consistent guest experiences across the portfolio as the brands expand their presence.
Vineet Mishra, Vice President, PME, Accor India & South Asia, said, “We are delighted to welcome Deeppreet to Accor and look forward to his leadership as we continue to strengthen ibis and ibis Styles in India. His extensive experience across hotel operations, commercial performance and people leadership, combined with his strong track record in the industry, will be valuable as we build the next phase of growth for the brands. I am confident that Deeppreet will create meaningful value for our guests, owners and partners.”
Commenting on his new role, Deeppreet Bindra, Director – ibis & ibis Styles India, said, “I am excited to join Accor and take on the opportunity to lead ibis and ibis Styles in India. Both brands have established a strong presence in the country, with clear and distinctive propositions, and I look forward to building on this foundation. My focus will be on strengthening business performance, delivering consistent guest experiences and working closely with our teams and partners to drive sustainable growth. I am looking forward to contributing to the next chapter of the brands’ journey in India.”
Abhishek Donde, who has over nine years’ experience in hospitality security, safety and loss prevention, has joined Novotel Pune Nagar Road as Security Manager.
Read MoreNovotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences has appointed Neerajita Kundu, an HR professional with over 11 years in hospitality, as its People & Culture Manager.
Read MoreVipin Khattar brings over two decades of international hospitality experience across India, the Middle East, Africa and the United Kingdom.
Accor has announced the appointment of Vipin Khattar as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia. In this role, he will lead the Group’s commercial strategy across the region, overseeing sales, revenue management, marketing, digital distribution, loyalty, partnerships, and transformation initiatives.
With more than two decades of international hospitality experience spanning India, the Middle East, Africa, and the United Kingdom, Vipin brings a distinguished track record of driving business growth, building strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated strong commercial acumen, operational excellence, and a commitment to delivering sustainable business results.
Prior to joining Accor, Vipin served as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah. He previously held several senior leadership roles with Marriott International, including General Manager of JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity and a multi-property General Manager position in Dubai. His career portfolio also includes leadership assignments across renowned brands such as The St. Regis, Delta Hotels, and Marriott Residences.
Earlier in his career, Vipin held senior commercial and operational leadership roles with Hyatt across the UAE and Egypt, including General Manager and Area Director of Sales & Marketing. His experience with Atlantis The Palm and Grand Hyatt Dubai further strengthened his expertise in sales, business development, MICE, and commercial strategy. This diverse background across commercial leadership and hotel operations positions him strongly to advance Accor’s growth ambitions and commercial performance across South Asia.
Commenting on the appointment, Ranju Alex, CEO, Accor South Asia, said: “We are delighted to welcome Vipin Khattar to Accor as Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia. His extensive experience across commercial strategy, sales and marketing, and hotel operations makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team. Vipin’s strategic vision, business acumen, and ability to align commercial opportunities with operational excellence will play an important role in strengthening Accor’s commercial platform across the region. As we continue to accelerate our growth ambitions, I am confident that under his leadership we will further enhance our brands, deepen key partnerships, and unlock new opportunities across markets and segments.”
Commenting on his new role, Vipin Khattar, Chief Commercial Officer, South Asia, Accor, said: “I am excited to join Accor at such a dynamic phase of its growth journey in South Asia. The region presents tremendous opportunities, and I look forward to collaborating closely with our teams, hotel owners, and partners to strengthen commercial performance, elevate our brands, and drive sustainable growth across the market.”
Vikas Sood brings over 29 years of hospitality experience across luxury hotels, convention centres, MICE and large-scale events.
Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) & Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre – Managed by ACCOR announces the appointment of Vikas Sood as General Manager
With over 29 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Vikas Sood brings a strong background in luxury hospitality, hotel operations and the MICE industry, with extensive experience in convention and exhibition business. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading hospitality brands including The Leela, ACCOR, Marriott International, Hyatt and Taj Hotels, taking on leadership roles across hotel and convention centre operations.
Vikas brings extensive experience with ACCOR, having built his career across leading convention hotels and large-scale hospitality operations. His journey has included significant exposure to large conventions, exhibitions, corporate events and international programmes, with a strong understanding of managing complex hotel and convention centre operations.
His experience across Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre and The Leela Gandhinagar has given him a deep understanding of large-scale events, operational excellence and delivering seamless guest experiences.
His experience in the convention and exhibition business includes managing high-profile events and programmes such as G20, Semicon, PEDICON, DefExpo and other large-scale conferences and exhibitions. His understanding of venue operations, guest movement, event requirements and the integration of hospitality with convention business has been an important part of his professional journey.
He has also been recognised for his contribution to the hospitality industry and was named GM of the Year at the Culinary Innovation Awards 2024. Beyond his professional interests, he enjoys travelling, exploring different cultures and discovering diverse culinary experiences.
Bringing a wealth of industry experience, Vikas is recognised for his extensive expertise in the MICE industry, with strong experience across exhibition and convention business, large-scale medical events and hospitality operations.
In his new role as General Manager, Vikas will oversee the operations of Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and JECC, with a focus on the integrated hotel and convention centre business. His experience across luxury hospitality and large-scale convention operations will support the complex in strengthening its position as a destination for exhibitions, conventions, MICE, weddings and other large-format events.
Anand Yadava brings over 15 years of hospitality experience across front office, rooms operations, MICE and guest experience.
Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) & Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre – Managed by Accor are delighted to announce the appointment of Anand Yadava as Front Office Manager.
With over 15 years of rich experience in the hospitality industry, Anand brings extensive expertise in Front Office and Rooms Operations, guest experience, MICE operations, VIP handling, revenue optimization, and team leadership. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong leadership in managing hotel operations and delivering service excellence.
In his previous role at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, New Delhi, Anand served as Deputy Front Office Manager, where he managed Front Office operations for a 480-key luxury convention hotel, including high-volume arrivals, MICE groups, VIP movements, guest journeys, inventory management, forecasting, and upselling strategies.
Bringing a wealth of industry experience, Anand has been associated with renowned hospitality brands including The Leela, Radisson, and Lemon Tree Hotels. His experience includes guest handling, VIP protocols, revenue control, service recovery, group movements, and team development.
Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Anand said: “I am excited to join Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre & JECC – Managed by Accor and look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the property by delivering exceptional guest experiences and strengthening operational excellence.”
In his role as Front Office Manager, Anand will be responsible for overseeing Front Office operations, managing VIP and MICE movements, enhancing guest experience, and ensuring operational and service excellence.
Commenting on the appointment, Manik Vishnoi, Director of Operations, Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre & JECC – Managed by Accor, said: “We are pleased to welcome Anand to the team. His extensive experience, strong operational expertise, and focus on guest experience will play a valuable role in further strengthening our Front Office operations and service excellence.”
Shabana Raj will lead learning and development initiatives across Grand Mercure Bangalore, Grand Mercure Mysore and ibis Styles Mysuru, focusing on capability building and talent development.
Shabana Raj has been appointed as Learning & Development Manager for Grand Mercure Bangalore, Grand Mercure Mysore and ibis Styles Mysuru. In her new role, Shabana will oversee the learning and development function across the three properties, driving initiatives that strengthen employee capabilities, support leadership development and foster a consistent culture of service excellence.
With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Shabana has worked across leading hotel companies including Accor, Marriott and ITC Hotels. Most recently, she served as Cluster Learning & Development Manager at ibis Hotels Mumbai, where she led L&D strategy across multiple properties, designing structured training calendars covering guest experience, culinary excellence and operational effectiveness, while driving service culture programmes such as the SMILE framework.
She managed the complete training lifecycle, from needs analysis and content development to facilitation and impact measurement, giving her a strong understanding of both learning and development and hotel operations.
Across the three properties, Shabana will work closely with the leadership and departmental teams to identify capability gaps, strengthen functional and leadership skills, and create development pathways for employees across different levels.
She will also focus on strengthening internal talent pipelines and enabling high-potential team members to take on larger responsibilities, while ensuring that learning initiatives remain closely aligned with business objectives and guest expectations.
Parag Shah, General Manager, Grand Mercure Bangalore, said, “As our teams continue to grow and evolve, a strong learning culture is essential. Shabana’s experience will help strengthen capabilities, support leadership development and further our commitment to service excellence across the three properties.”
Manali Gupta, Cluster General Manager of Grand Mercure Mysore and ibis Styles Mysuru, said, “People development is at the heart of strong hospitality teams. Shabana brings valuable L&D experience along with an understanding of hotel operations, and we look forward to her strengthening our talent pipeline and creating meaningful growth opportunities for our teams.”
Speaking on her appointment, Shabana said, “Effective learning begins with understanding people, their aspirations and what they need to succeed. I look forward to creating relevant learning opportunities, strengthening our talent pipeline and empowering our teams to take greater ownership of their roles.”
Accor has announced the appointment of Cyrus Madan as Director of Development for India & South Asia. Bringing close to three decades of experience in hospitality management and hotel business development, he is set to play a pivotal role in advancing the group’s regional growth.
Cyrus has held leadership roles with esteemed brands such as Lemon Tree Hotels and Atmosphere Hospitality, and began his professional journey with the Taj in New Delhi. A graduate of the Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration, he brings strong expertise in strategy, business development, and navigating complex markets.
Aniruddh Kumar, Vice-President of Development, India & South Asia, Accor, said, “We are pleased to welcome Cyrus Madan to Accor. His extensive experience and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in driving expansion, partnerships, and asset growth across India and South Asia.”
On his new role, Cyrus Madan shared, “I am delighted to join Accor and be part of its dynamic team. I look forward to contributing to the group’s development initiatives and creating long-term value as we continue to strengthen our presence in the region.”
With over a decade of experience in the hotel industry, Jitendra brings an extensive experience in food and beverage, hotel operations, guest engagement, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership approach. His career includes significant positions in big name hotel brands of Accor - Ibis Nashik, Ibis Hyderabad HITEC City, Novotel Visakhapatnam, Novotel Vijayawada, and previously, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre. As a home grown talent, Jitendra has played an active role in elevating culinary experiences and setting new standards of service excellence throughout his career.
In his role as the head of Food and Beverage operations, Jitendra will curate innovative dining experiences and implement industry-leading standards to further elevate the hotel's culinary offerings shaping the future of food and beverage services. Jitendra is dedicated to ensuring seamless daily operations while remaining attuned to emerging industry trends.
Hailing from Sitamarhi, Bihar, Jitendra's deep-rooted cultural heritage fuels his unwavering passion for culinary artistry. Outside of his professional accomplishments, Jitendra has a love for biking and exploring new destinations. His well-rounded approach to life reflects his dedication to excellence in every pursuit
Novotel Goa Candolim proudly announces the appointment of Dibendu Kumar Khan as Director of Operations. Dibendu is an accomplished hospitality professional with a career spanning over 20+ years and a rich background in team management, room operations, customer service and curating bespoke guest experiences. His proven track record of successes across the years will continue to drive exceptional and innovative hospitality solutions at Novotel Goa Candolim, further strengthening his reputation as an industry leader.
In his new capacity as Director of Operations, Dibendu will oversee the day-to-day operations of Novotel Goa Candolim, ensuring seamless execution of services and maintaining the hotel’s commitment towards providing exceptional guest experiences. He has previously held pivotal roles at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, The Leela Goa, Taj Greencove Resort Kerala and Ananda in the Himalayas. Dibendu holds a Bachelor of Hotel Management degree.
Commenting on the announcement, Ranju Singh, Complex General Manager, Novotel Goa Candolim said, “Dibendu is a force to reckon with in the hospitality industry and we are thrilled to welcome him in the team. His expertise in guest experiences and wealth of knowledge is surely going to elevate our name notches higher. We are excited and are looking forward to a long innings together.”
Upon his appointment, Mr. Dibendu Kumar Khan expressed his enthusiasm, “It feels great to be back to Goa and a lot more excitement as I join hands with a brand that I have followed for a while. I look forward to working with my new team at Novotel Goa Candolim and offering our guests, our lifeline, an experience of a lifetime. The hospitality sector is shaping up beautifully in Goa, with new and unique experiences and opportunities, giving us an impetus to be our innovative best.”
When not busy with the daily hustle bustle, Dibendu likes to unwind with reading, travelling along with discovering and savouring Goan food and culture.
Novotel Guwahati GS Road proudly welcomes Narendra Singh as the new Executive Chef. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry, Chef Narendra brings a wealth of culinary expertise and a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences to his new role.
Prior to joining Novotel Guwahati GS Road, Chef Narendra served as Chef de Cuisine at Anantara - Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Oman, where he showcased his culinary talent and leadership skills in managing diverse culinary operations. His culinary journey includes enriching experiences with esteemed brands such as The Oberoi, The Ritz Carlton, and Radisson Blu, where he honed his skills and developed a keen understanding of culinary excellence.
Chef Narendra holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from I.H.M. Gurdaspur, where he received comprehensive training and education in culinary arts and hotel management. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and innovation, earning accolades and recognition for his culinary creations and leadership.
I am delighted to join the dynamic team at Novotel Guwahati GS Road said Chef Narendra Singh.
I am excited about the opportunity to showcase my culinary skills and contribute to the hotel’s success. With a focus on quality, creativity, and guest satisfaction, I look forward to creating memorable dining experiences for our guests.
In his role as Executive Chef, Chef Narendra will oversee all culinary operations at Novotel Guwahati GS Road, including menu development, kitchen management, and culinary innovation. Novotel Guwahati GS Road extends a warm welcome to Chef Narendra Singh and looks forward to his contributions in enhancing the culinary offerings and guest experiences at the hotel.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has appointed George Koumendakos as its new General Manager. The Dutch national brings 37 years of experience including 15 years as General Manager in multiple 5-star hotels around the world.
Koumendakos, who is fluent in three languages, is a highly respected hotel professional who has worked in 14 countries. Prior to arriving at Metropole Hanoi, he was most recently the General Manager at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara in Malaysia. He also formerly led the pre-opening team at the Intercontinental Hanoi Landmark 72 Hanoi.
“Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s rich 122-year history, sophisticated and elegant French colonial design, and warm and personalized service, along with its distinctive sense of French joie de vivre, make it one of the world’s most legendary hotels, and I greatly look forward to being part of its next illustrious chapter,” Koumendakos said.
Koumendakos, a graduate of the renowned hospitality management Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands, officially took the helm at Metropole Hanoi on Sept. 25.
His arrival coincides with major milestones at the hotel, including the upcoming reopening of the historic Metropole Wing in December following an extensive refurbishment that will usher in six new Metropole Suites (while the overall number of rooms will remain the same). Metropole Hanoi also recently relaunched its celebrated Vietnamese restaurant Spice Garden with a new concept, design and menu.
In February, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi was awarded a prestigious Five-Star rating—the top level of recognition—from Forbes Travel Guide for a fourth consecutive year. Metropole Hanoi is one of only two hotels in Vietnam to earn the Five-Star rating—and the only in Hanoi to receive the top distinction. In June, the industry-leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure named Metropole Hanoi one of the top city hotels in Vietnam in its annual Luxury Awards Asia Pacific. Additionally, it was included in their esteemed list of the “500 Best Hotels in the World.”
Grand Mercure Hotel & Residences and ibis Styles Dubai Airport appoints Arsanious SAAD as new Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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