Taj Hotels Has a New CEO

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the parent company of Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris, has appointed a new CEO and managing director: Puneet Chhatwal.

Chhatwal is currently CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG – Deutsche Hospitality, with more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He became CEO in January 2013.

Chhatwal will replace former CEO and managing director Rakesh Sarna, who submitted his resignation for personal reasons earlier this year in May.

N Chandrasekaran, IHCL chairman, said in a statement: "Mr. Chhatwal's extensive experience in the global hospitality sector including his ability to drive performance, turn around assets and build great teams will be very valuable for IHCL as it looks to strengthen and expand its position in the market."

"IHCL has some of the most iconic hotel properties in India and at key gateway locations across the world. I look forward to working with the talented teams in IHCL and under Mr. Chandrasekaran's leadership of the Tata Group to take this iconic company forward," said Chhatwal.

The Tata Group is the larger global conglomerate under which the IHCL is one of many companies and brands. The Taj Hotels group comprises nearly 100 hotels around the world, and the company recently announced in February that it was consolidating its three brands (Taj, Vivanta, and Gateway) into just one.