Restaurant India News: The Westin Pune Koregaon Park Names Gopakumar G. Pillai as Director of Engineering

Marriott International has appointed Gopakumar G. Pillai as Director of Engineering at The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, strengthening the property’s technical and engineering leadership. Pillai brings over 25 years of global experience across hospitality, infrastructure, and property operations, with a track record spanning India and the Middle East.

In his new role, Pillai will be responsible for end-to-end engineering and technical operations of the hotel’s 277 rooms, four restaurants, and 11 event venues covering more than 24,500 sq. ft. His mandate includes improving operational efficiency through structured maintenance systems, overseeing renovation projects, advancing sustainability initiatives, ensuring statutory compliance, and maintaining alignment with Marriott International’s safety and technical benchmarks.

Pillai is known within the industry for his expertise in hotel pre-openings, technical services management, preventive and predictive maintenance, energy conservation, and sustainability programmes. Over the course of his career, he has led engineering operations for multiple high-profile properties under global brands such as Marriott, IHG, and Accor.

Prior to joining The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, Pillai served as Director of Engineering / Chief Engineer (Task Force) with Marriott International Hotels, where he managed engineering operations across several properties in Jaipur, Nagpur, Faridabad, and Ahmedabad. His previous leadership assignments also include serving as Cluster Director of Engineering for St. Regis, Sheraton, and Four Points hotels in Kuwait, overseeing a luxury hospitality complex with more than 700 rooms, as well as Chief Engineer at Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia Jeddah.

His professional achievements include leading the pre-opening of six international hotels, securing Green Globe, Green Keys, and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, and contributing to teams recognised at the World Luxury Hotel Awards. He has also been involved in FSMS and HACCP compliance audits across multiple international markets.

Pillai said, “I am pleased to join The Westin Pune Koregaon Park and be part of a team that values excellence and sustainability. Engineering today is about building efficient, reliable systems that enhance guest experience while being environmentally responsible. I look forward to working closely with the team to strengthen operations and uphold Marriott International’s high standards.”

Pillai holds an Executive MBA in Power Management, a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and diplomas in Hotel Management and Electrical Engineering Technology. He is also a Certified Professional Engineer accredited by the Engineering Council of India. His appointment reflects Marriott International’s continued focus on operational discipline, sustainability, and technical leadership at the property level.