Mumbai: The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced the appointment of Puneet Chhatwal as the new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director to drive performance and oversee the next phase of expansion of the hotels group.

Mr. Chhatwal was most recently the Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Executive Board of Steigenberger Hotels AG – Deutsche Hospitality, a leading European hotel chain. He is a global professional with over three decades of leadership experience in the hospitality sector, having worked for some leading hotel groups in Europe and North America after starting his career in India.

Mr N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, IHCL said: “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 Puneet Chhatwal.

Mr Chhatwal is a graduate of both Delhi University and Institute of Hotel Management, Delhi. He has completed an MBA in hospitality from ESSEC, Paris and an Advanced Management Program from INSEAD.