Shabana Raj appointed L&D Manager across three Accor properties

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.

Professional Experience

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.

Focus Across Three Properties

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.

Leadership Perspectives

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.”

Shabana Raj on Her Appointment

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.”

Cyrus Madan takes over as Accor’s Director – Development, India & South Asia

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.”

Jitendra Kumar is the new Food & Beverage Manager @ Novotel Chennai SIPCOT

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 Brings On-board Industry Veteran Dibendu Kumar Khan as Director of Operations

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 Appoints Narendra Singh as Executive Chef

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 Announces New General Manager George Koumendakos

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.”