DeVANS Modern Breweries appoints Vikas Bhatia as Chief Operating Officer

The beverage industry veteran brings over 30 years of experience across sales, marketing and commercial leadership as the company looks to strengthen operations and expand its market presence.

DeVANS Modern Breweries Limited has appointed Vikas Bhatia as Chief Operating Officer (COO), bringing on board a beverage industry veteran with over 30 years of experience across sales, marketing, commercial leadership and market expansion.

Bhatia has held leadership roles at global organisations including Red Bull, SABMiller, Diageo, Radico and Kraft Heinz. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening DeVANS’ commercial capabilities, accelerating market development, driving operational excellence and identifying new growth opportunities.

Building on six decades of beverage manufacturing

Founded in 1961, DeVANS has evolved from its roots in liquor bottling into a diversified beverage business spanning beer and premium spirits. Under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director Prem Dewan, the company has expanded from one manufacturing unit to four, reflecting its growth over the decades.

The company aims to build on this legacy while developing a more competitive, contemporary and growth-oriented business.

Commenting on the appointment, Prem Dewan, Chairman and Managing Director, DeVANS Modern Breweries Limited, said, “DeVANS has a legacy spanning more than six decades, and our ambition is to build on that foundation as we take the company into its next phase of growth. Vikas brings extensive experience across leading beverage and FMCG businesses, along with a strong understanding of commercial development and market expansion. We look forward to working with him to strengthen our capabilities, develop our business and to further strengthen DeVANS into one of the premier beverage companies in India.”

Bhatia said, “I am delighted to join DeVANS at an important stage in its journey. The company’s legacy, evolving portfolio and ambition to build stronger brands present an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with the team to strengthen commercial execution, explore new market opportunities and create a platform for sustainable, long-term growth.”

A diversified portfolio of beer, whisky and gin

DeVANS is focused on building brands that resonate with younger legal-age consumers through product innovation, cultural relevance and experiential storytelling.

Its portfolio includes Six Fields beers, comprising Brute, Cult, Blanche and Pilsner; Godfather beer; GianChand, an award-winning Indian single malt whisky portfolio rooted in Jammu’s whisky-making heritage; and Gingalalahu gin.

The company’s brands have received international recognition. Six Fields Brute won Gold and was named Country Winner at the World Beer Awards in the UK, alongside further accolades for Six Fields and GianChand.

Brand engagement through culture and experiences

DeVANS is also investing in culturally relevant brand engagement. Its #CheersForMore campaign for Six Fields, featuring international cricket umpire Anil Chaudhary, celebrates shared experiences around cricket. The campaign reflects the company’s focus on developing distinctive brand narratives and strengthening consumer connections.

Focus on commercial and operational growth

DeVANS’ next phase of growth involves bringing together its established manufacturing base, diversified portfolio and evolving approach to brand-building. Bhatia’s appointment is intended to strengthen the commercial and operational capabilities required to translate these assets into sustained business growth

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.”

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.”