Restaurant India News: InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort Announces New Leadership Team

InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort has announced a series of leadership appointments across its executive team as part of its strategy to strengthen operations, guest services and commercial performance following the property's repositioning.

The appointments span key business functions including hotel operations, food and beverage, marketing, catering sales and culinary leadership, reinforcing the resort's focus on operational efficiency and guest experience.

Anand Nair continues to lead the resort as General Manager, bringing more than three decades of hospitality experience across luxury hotel brands in India and overseas. He began his career in 1995 as a Management Trainee with The Leela Hotels, Palaces & Resorts before taking up assignments with The Taj Group of Hotels across Sri Lanka, Nashik and Bengaluru.

Nair later served as General Manager with Sarovar Hotels, where he led the launch of a backwater resort in Kerala and received the General Manager of the Year Award twice during his eight-year tenure. Since joining IHG Hotels & Resorts, he has managed both InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort and Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, while also leading the resort's multi-million-dollar renovation and relaunch. He has received the IHG Owners Impact Award for General Manager of the Year three times across the India, Middle East and Africa region and was honoured with the BW Hotelier General Manager of the Year – Resort Award 2025.

The resort has also appointed Suchir Jindal as Associate Director of Marketing. With more than a decade of hospitality marketing experience, he will oversee brand positioning, digital marketing and communications. His career includes roles with Marriott Fiji, AccorHotels, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, Sayaji Hotels Ltd and Fariyas Hotels & Resorts, where he managed marketing mandates for over 100 properties and led marketing initiatives for five resort properties in Fiji.

Deepak Dua has joined as Director of Food & Beverages, bringing over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality. Before joining the resort, he held leadership positions with Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla, The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort Goa and Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC. His expertise includes food and beverage operations, concept development, revenue management and team leadership.

The resort has also named Sam William as Director of Catering Sales. With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality sales, events and marketing, William previously served as Associate Director of Events at Park Hyatt Chennai. His career also includes roles at Taj Connemara, The Westin Chennai Velachery and Phoenix Marketcity, where he managed catering, events and commercial partnerships.

Leading the culinary division is Executive Chef Meril Antony Aricatt, who brings more than three decades of culinary experience across IHCL and IHG properties. His career includes senior leadership roles at Taj Malabar Resort & Spa, Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa, Vivanta Chennai OMR, Taj Connemara and Gateway Hotel Vijayawada.

Chef Meril was recognised as Best Chef of the Year (2009-2010) by the National Tourism Department of India and has represented Indian cuisine at food festivals across Europe and the Middle East. He has also curated menus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping and was recognised by Hotelier India in 2024.

With these appointments, InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort is reinforcing leadership across its commercial, operational and culinary functions as it continues to strengthen its position in India's luxury hospitality market.