Our Team

LATE MR. ANIL MADHOK

1945 - 2023

FOUNDER AND SAROVAR HOTELS & RESORTS

Visionary,
Pioneer,
Legend
Our inspiration…

An avid reader, a connoisseur of gourmet food and a strong believer of
'God is in the Details'...
The Man behind the pioneering story of quality mid-market hospitality in India, Anil set up Sarovar Hotels in 1994. Using his vast experience and keen foresight, he introduced the concept of professionally managed 'value for money' hotels in India.He built Sarovar from the ground up with strong foundations and drew the blueprint for the massive growth story of the group as it stands today.
He had initiated his hotel career with The Oberoi Group in 1966 where he engineered the ascent of The Oberoi, New Delhi as well as establishing The Oberoi Mumbai. He was honoured with the prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by Hotelier India and he also holds the esteemed 'Hall of Fame' Award from the Hotel Investment Forum India (HIFI).
Going strong, Anil championed the spectacular growth of Sarovar's portfolio - over 100 hotels in 67 destinations and growing... In his free-spirited endeavour, he spearheaded Sarovar's Africa development with goals to replicate the India story in the 'Continent of Promise'.
As Sarovar continues to lead in the segment with its steady and sustained growth, he looks back on years of stupendous success with pride.Read More

Anil Madhok 7 1
Ajay Bakaya in a red blazer and white shirt, standing with hands clasped, smiling softly in a warm room.

AJAY K. BAKAYA


MANAGING DIRECTOR - SAROVAR HOTELS
DIRECTOR - LOUVRE HOTELS INDIA

People Builder,
Positive Leader,
Challenger,
Astute Professional,
'Mind Over Matter' Believer...

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

A seasoned hotelier, a trailblazer in hospitality and instrumental in the growth of Sarovar Hotels, he champions the mid-market, driving brand vision to reality.Ajay has played an integral part in the phenomenal growth story of Sarovar since its early inception, beginning from a shared office table and seeing Sarovar grow to almost 100 hotels today.
An alumni of Cornell- ESSEC, France, Ajay is also a graduate of the Oberoi School of Learning and Development. He has worked extensively in India, Australia, Africa, France and Scotland. A globe trotter and avid cyclist, Ajay finished the 1000km cycling Tour of Nilgiris in 2017. His passion to stay fit and healthy has taught him the importance of patience, positive energy and discipline. His work Mantra- Sincerity and hard work will always give results.
Ajay has been recognized as “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) and received the prestigious “Hall of Fame” award by Hotelier India. He became the “CEO of the year” at the Hotelier India Awards 2017, displaying his prolific leadership qualities.Read More

JATIN KHANNA


CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

People's Person,
Future Thinker,
Sports Enthusiast

Jatin believes - “A successful person finds the right place for himself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others”

An astute professional, a go-getter and an accomplished leader in Hospitality with more than two decades of extensive experience in hotel operations and management.Having worked with leading hotel chains, he developed expertise in operational excellence and management services in sync with customer expectations. His past work experiences include assignments in Marriott Hotels as Vice President - North India, Bhutan and Nepal and Vice President of Operations for Hilton Hotels India. Jatin joined Sarovar Hotels in 2022 as the CEO with key responsibility to drive the group's dynamic growth plans.Read More

Jatin Khanna in a suit and tie, seated outdoors with greenery in the background, exuding a professional demeanor.
S. Raja in a black suit and white shirt, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly against a plain background.

S. RAJA


CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

Realistic,
Accountable,
Solid Strategist,
Man with an eye to detail

Raja is responsible for Corporate Finance, Accounts, MIS, Treasury, Taxation and Company Secretarial and legal matters.
He is a Chartered Accountant and has over 25 years experience in the Finance and Banking sector. On the operational front, he defines P&L investment plans and assists the company's decision-makers by stepping into the “bad cop” role to hold them accountable for performance targets and also collaborate with them on medium and long-term planning. Read More

RAJESH RANJAN


SR. VICE PRESIDENT - DEVELOPMENT

Focused,
Sharp Negotiator,
Go Getter,
Dreamer,
Music Lover

Rajesh is responsible for all business and project development activities including global franchisee and management contracting. He spearheads the design and development think tank responsible for strategic alliances, business growth initiatives, planning and launch of all new hotels.An alumnus of IHM Bhubaneswar, Rajesh enjoys around three decades of experience in the hospitality industry with a phenomenal drive for results, excellent networking, expertise in hotel operations, technical services, owner relations, administration and asset management. Having worked in different domains and various hospitality brands like Choice Hotels, Jaypee and Ramada, Rajesh brings in horizontal versatility with diverse cultural responsiveness. Rajesh has opened over 100 hotels for Sarovar in India & Africa. He has vast experience, working with a rich and diverse array of architects, interior designers, landscape, lighting, acoustics, MEP and FLS consultants.Read More

Rajesh Ranjan in a dark blue suit and white shirt, setting on a wooden stool with arms on this knees, smiling looking at camera
Nipun Vig in a black suit and white shirt with yellow tie, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly against a plain background.

NIPUN K. VIG


SR. VICE PRESIDENT - OPERATIONS

Realistic,
Focused,
Energetic,
Enigmatic,

“Eye for quality” Believer...

An astute leader, charismatic personality and dynamic professional, Nipun is responsible for decision making in profitable and sustainable growth plans of every hotel.He oversees all Sarovar Hotels operational activities and closely handles new hotel development and business advancement. A hotel management graduate from IHM Hyderabad, Nipun carries more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He was earlier the General Manager at Park Plaza, Ludhiana and had headed all the North India hotel portfolio of Sarovar Hotels.Read More

SANJEEV SHEKHAR


REGIONAL DIRECTOR - WEST

Mr. Cool,
Creative Person,
Flexible,
Keen Observer

Sanjeev heads all the Sarovar Hotels in Western India and is also the General Manager at Hotel Marine Plaza, Mumbai.A St. Stephen's graduate, Sanjeev Shekhar has worked with The Oberoi Hotels for close to a decade and then moved to Oman with the Accor group. He currently oversees operations at all Sarovar Hotels in the Western region.Read More

Sanjeev Shekhar in a grey suit and white shirt, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly against a plain background.
Rahul Singh in a black suit with a black pocket square, stands with arms crossed, exuding confidence.

RAHUL SINGH


REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Rahul, with over 20 years of experience, has worked with renowned hospitality brands such as Hyatt, Leela, Radisson, and IHG. His most recent role was as the General Manager at Park Plaza Faridabad, where he served for an impressive 7 years. In his new position, Rahul will lead a team of General Managers across his hotel portfolio to deliver Sarovar’s best value to our Owners and hotel teams.

AKSHAY THUSOO


SR. VICE PRESIDENT - COMMERCIAL

An industry-adept professional, Akshay brings with him almost a decade of experience across the hospitality, media and automobile industries. He is responsible for conceptualizing and implementing sales strategies at both corporate and regional levels and contributes to further strengthening the group’s efforts in driving more business from existing as well as new markets. Akshay holds an Advanced Management Program Certification in Business Strategy from ISB Hyderabad. Having completed his MBA from Christ University, Akshay commenced his career with ITC Ltd as an Assistant Sales Manager, where he successfully roped in new clients for the company from tertiary markets. He also had a brief stint with the Times of India group, where he worked as a Manager for an international media vertical and lead to the addition of new business segments for the group especially from the African and Middle East markets.Read More

Akshay Thusoo in a dark checked suit with a colourful tie, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly against a plain background.
Mielle Batliwala with brown hair, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly.

MIELLE BATLIWALA


ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES

A seasoned HR professional, Mielle brings over two decades of experience with a strong track record of success. In her preceding assignments with Marriott International, she held various leadership positions and fronted the Human Resource portfolio at multiple Marriott Hotels across various cities including Mumbai, Goa, Pune and Delhi and their Corporate offices.In her new role at Sarovar Group’s Corporate Office, she will be responsible for group-wide talent acquisition, development & retention, employee relations, compensation & benefits, and performance management. Aside from her ace achievements in the HR function, Mielle has also earned numerous awards and recognitions including, “100 Top HR Minds in India (2018); the Alice S. Marriott Award for Excellence in Community Service (2015), Continent Human Resources Leader of the Year-Asia Pacific (2011) and Global Human Resources Manager of the Year (2007).Read More

NARENDRA SINGH


CORPORATE CHEF

Narender Singh brings with him a stellar experience of 32 years in the industry. With an unbeatable passion for all things culinary, he specializes in international cuisines, banqueting & conventions, events and fine dining restaurants. As Corporate Chef, Narender Singh handles food & beverage development, and facility planning for all Sarovar Hotels and corporate institutions. He has spent time with some of the best names in the industry where he extended prompt, efficient and accurate service to all guests serving the finest food.Read More

Chef Narender Singh white uniform with folded arms, wearing a Sarovar Hotels & Resorts logo, posing confidently against a plain background.
Siddhartha in a DARK suit with a dark tie, wearing glasses stands with arms crossed, exuding confidence.

CDR. SIDDHARTHA GARGORI (Retd.)


CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

Siddhartha is a seasoned Naval Officer with over 21 years of expertise in Project and Program Management, focusing on Technical and Green Field infrastructure projects for the Indian Navy. His impressive career includes 8 years of active sea service on various Indian Naval warships, where he managed the maintenance and operation of Electrical & Weapon Equipment and Machinery.Siddhartha holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from the Naval College of Engineering, INS Shivaji, Lonavala; a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai and an Executive Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. In his role, he will support the Engineering operations for PAN India hotels.Read More

SURANJIT SENGUPTA


CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGES

Suranjit brings a wealth of experience from his 18-year career, including 10 years with Marriott International in various leadership roles such as Hotel Manager at Fairfield by Marriott Jodhpur and Director of Food & Beverage at the JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity.He has also contributed his expertise to Hilton Bangalore Embassy Golf Links and Taj Krishna Hyderabad in Banqueting operations. In his role, Suranjit will support the Food & Beverage operations for PAN India hotels.Read More

Suranjit Sengupta in a blue suit with a orange pocket square and tie stands with arms crossed, exuding confidence.
Debashish Chatterjee in a grey suit with a blue pocket square, standing with hands clasped, exuding confidence against a plain background.

DEBASHIS CHATTERJEE


CORPORATE EXECUTIVE - HOUSEKEEPER

A veteran hotelier with immense knowledge and perfection at his skillset, Debashis has more than 26 years of experience in the field of Housekeeping. Trained in the Oberoi School of Hotel Management, he has worked in hotel chains like Oberoi Group, Taj Group and ITC hotels.Debashis' last assignment was at ITC Sonar, Kolkata as Executive Housekeeper. Debashis, apart from maintaining high housekeeping operations standards, also has varied experience in pre-opening, procurement, room management systems, renovations and EHS (Environment Health and Safety).Read More

MANISHA


BRAND SERVICE MANAGER

Manisha takes on the new role of Brand Service Manager for all brands of Louvre Hotels Group in India, including Golden Tulip, Royal Tulip, and Tulip Inn. Her responsibilities include reinforcing brand standards, building & maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and driving brand performance.Prior to this position, she managed Pan India PR activities for the Sarovar Hotels Group. With over 10 years of experience in public relations, Manisha is a self motivated, passionate professional who has worked in varied work spaces such as luxury & lifestyle, travel & hospitality, and art & culture. Before joining Sarovar Hotels, she worked with U.S. International Tourism Board.Read More

Manisha with long black hair, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt, standing with arms crossed, smiling slightly.
Yash Raghav in a dark suit with a lavender pocket square, wearing glasses, stands with arms crossed, exuding confidence.

YASH RAGHAV


GENERAL MANAGER - TRAINING

Leading the Training Vertical in the Company, Yash is responsible for administrating learning & development activities and Standard Operating Procedures at Sarovar. He curates and supervises the policies for training the workforce.He is a Hotel Management graduate from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi and holds a Masters degree in Tourism from IGNOU. In his 18 years of experience and more, he has worked with several well-known brands like Oberoi, Taj Hotels, Sahara Airlines, and Radisson Hotel Group. He is a certified trainer from the Ahmedabad Management Association. Yash is an avid reader and a music lover. He is a fitness enthusiast and keeps himself healthy with regular jogging & yoga.Read More