Holiday Inn Express has appointed Jagannath Rout, an engineering and facility management professional with over 25 years' experience, to oversee engineering across SAMHI's 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels in India.
Read MoreA leadership appointment to drive commercial performance across Holiday Inn Express hotels in India.
Holiday Inn Express has announced the appointment of Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales & marketing for its portfolio. In this role, he will lead the commercial performance of the 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels across India owned by SAMHI.
Palash brings over 18 years of experience across hospitality, aviation, and IT consulting, with expertise in sales strategy, revenue optimisation, and business development. An alumnus of IHM Chandigarh, he has experience across corporate, leisure, MICE, embassies, airlines, and events.
Previously, he served as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Hotels and has also held roles at Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels, and Sagax.
Commenting on his appointment, Palash Swarup said, “I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to strengthening Holiday Inn Express’s position in the market while driving sustainable growth.”
New Delhi, March 2026: Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, is pleased to announce the appointments of Chakradhar Chadaram as General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Yeshwanthpur and Sumit Sehgal as General Manager of Holiday Inn Express Greater Noida.
Chakradhar Chadaram brings over 17 years of extensive experience across leading international hospitality brands. Most recently serving as Director of Services at Radisson Blu Resort, Visakhapatnam, he also officiated as General Manager, demonstrating strong hands-on leadership across day-to-day operations, financial performance, and brand compliance.
Throughout his career, Chakradhar has overseen comprehensive Rooms Division functions including Front Office, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Revenue Management, Engineering, and Spa & Recreation. Known for driving operational efficiency, maintaining high brand audit scores, and delivering consistent guest satisfaction, he has successfully balanced owner expectations with brand standards in competitive markets. His earlier tenure with brands such as The Leela, The Zuri, Crowne Plaza and InterContinental further strengthens his operational depth. Notably, this appointment also marks his return to the IHG family.
Commenting on his appointment, Chakradhar Chadaram said, “I am honoured to rejoin IHG and take on the role of General Manager at Holiday Inn Express Yeshwanthpur. The brand’s focus on delivering smart, seamless stays for today’s travellers strongly resonates with my own operational philosophy. I look forward to working with the team to enhance service standards and drive sustained performance.”
Sumit Sehgal joins Holiday Inn Express Greater Noida with over 17 years of diverse experience spanning hospitality operations, sales & marketing, and business leadership. Most recently serving as Business Head at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, he led overall operations, business development, and financial performance, successfully driving revenue growth and operational optimisation.
Prior to this, Sumit held key leadership roles with prominent hospitality brands including Radisson Blu Hotel Greater Noida and Radisson Hotel Sector 29, Gurugram. With strong expertise in revenue management, strategic sales planning, budgeting, forecasting, and guest service excellence, he has consistently delivered strong market performance indicators, improved guest satisfaction scores, and strengthened corporate partnerships. His ability to combine commercial acumen with operational oversight positions him well to lead the Greater Noida property in a dynamic business environment.
Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Sumit Sehgal said, “I am delighted to join Holiday Inn Express Greater Noida at an exciting phase of growth. The brand’s commitment to efficiency, comfort, and reliability aligns perfectly with the needs of business and transit travellers in the region. I look forward to building high-performing teams and further strengthening the hotel’s market position.”
With these appointments, Holiday Inn Express aims to further enhance guest experience, operational discipline, and commercial performance across both properties. Yeshwanthpur and Greater Noida continue to serve as important hubs within their respective markets, catering to business, industrial, and transit travellers.
Experienced leader to oversee operations of 12 hotels across India under SAMHI Hotels Ltd
Tarun has been an integral part of the Holiday Inn Express family since 2018, making a significant contribution to the brand’s growth and success. Over the years, he has held key leadership positions including Associate Director of Sales, Director of Sales, Cluster Director of Sales, and, most recently, Hotel Manager at Holiday Inn Express Gurugram Sector 50.
In his new role, Tarun will be responsible for overseeing the operations of 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels across India – managed by SAMHI Hotels Ltd – ensuring consistency in operational standards, safety, and the guest experience throughout the portfolio. His leadership will focus on strengthening service delivery, nurturing high-performing teams, and driving sustainable revenue growth.
Commenting on his promotion, Tarun Ratra said: “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and proud to continue my journey with Holiday Inn Express in this new role. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most talented teams at Holiday Inn Express Portfolio, and I look forward to further enhancing our operations and ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value and experiences to our guests.”
With this promotion, Holiday Inn Express reaffirms its commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent within the organisation, while strengthening its reputation for smart, straightforward, and efficient hospitality. This milestone also reflects the spirit of IHG’s “Room to Grow” campaign—a space dedicated to unlocking career potential across every level of the business. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, internal mobility, and leadership development, IHG empowers colleagues to shape their own growth journeys. Tarun’s elevation is a testament to this ethos, where talent is celebrated and supported through meaningful opportunities.
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