Mr. Patanjali Govind Keswani, aged 59 years, is the Chairman and Managing Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi and a post-graduate diploma degree in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. He has been on our Board since 2002 and was last re-appointed with effect from January 1, 2016. Pursuant to the resolution passed by our shareholders on August 8, 2017 on expiry of his current term on March 31, 2018, he will stand re-appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director for a period of five years with effect from April 1, 2018.Mr. Patanjali Govind Keswani was a Tata Administrative Services Officer and associated with the Taj Group of hotels for a period of 17 years, including asthe senior vice-president (special projects). Mr. Patanjali Govind Keswani was also associated with A.T. Kearney Limited, New Delhi as its associated consultant and director. At present, he is also the chairman of the Skill Council for Persons with Disability and a founding member of the Sector Skill Council for the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism industry. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi in 2011 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta in 2012. Mr. Patanjali Govind Keswani was inducted into the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the ‘Hotelier India’ Hall of Fame in 2012. He has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Mr. Rattan Keswani, aged 57 years, is an executive Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from DAV College, Panjab University and a diploma degree in hotel management from Oberoi School of Hotel Management. He has been on our Board since December 12, 2012 and was last re-appointed with effect from January 1, 2017. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Rattan Keswani acted as the president of the Trident Hotels of the Oberoi Group, where he was engaged for a period 30 years. He has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Dr. Arindam Kumar Bhattacharya was educated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, UK where he completed Doctorate of Engineering. Dr. Arindam Kumar Bhattacharya is the Senior Partner and Director of The Boston Consulting Group, India, and the co-leader of Bruce Henderson Institute, BCG's thought leadership institution. He is also a BCG Fellow. Before taking over the current role he headed BCG India, he led BCG India for 6 years. He is member of global leadership team of the Global Advantage, and was earlier member of the global leadership teams of Industrial Goods, Public Sector and Social Impact practices and co-leader of BCG’s Global Advantage Initiative. As a BCG Fellow over the past three years he has focused his research on Globalization and has been writing and speaking extensively on the subject.
He started his career with the Eicher Group in India as a graduate engineer trainee has over 30 years of experience in the industry and consulting with focus on the industrial sector. In recent years he has led the BCG's growing engagement with Central and State Governments on both economic and on social sector topics like education and health, and consulted with organizations like World Food Programme, Save the Children, Gates Foundation and World Bank. He is also a member of Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) National Council, International Advisory Board of Oxford India Center of Sustainable Development, Oxford University, School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California, San Diego and Munjal School for Global Manufacturing at the Indian Business School.
Mr. Arvind Singhania, aged 53 years, is an independent Director of our Company. He has completed his basic education. He has been on our Board since June 15, 2017. Mr. Arvind Singhania is the promoter of Ester Industries Limited and has been on its board since 1986. At present, he is the chairman and chief executive officer of Ester Industries Limited. He has over 30 years of experience in the fields of production, supply chain, finance and people management.
Mr. Ashish Kumar Guha, aged 61 years, is an independent Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Jadavpur University in Kolkata. He has been on our Board since June 15, 2017. He has worked with Lazard for over seven years and have also been the chief executive officer of Lazard India Limited. Mr. Ashish Guha was associated with Heidelberg Cement as its chief executive officer for nearly eight years. He had previously worked with Ambit Private Limited and rejoined Ambit Private Limited in 2016 and is designated as the Advisor and Chairman, North India. He has experience in investment banking and in the cement industry.
Ms. Freyan Jamshed Desai, aged 56 years, is an independent Director of our Company. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Delhi and a master’s degree in law from King’s College, London. She has been on our Board since June 15, 2017.Ms. Freyan Jamshed Desai has previously worked at various law firms, including as a partner in Amarchand &Mangaldas& Suresh A. Shroff & Co. She has worked with Pathak & Associates (formerly an associate firm of Jones Day) for a period of five years. Ms. Freyan Jamshed Desai has also been the general counsel of the Novartis group of companies in India and has assisted the group in its merger and acquisition activities in India. She is experienced in the legal industry.
Mr. Paramartha Saikia, aged 56 years, is an independent Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Universityof Delhi and a master’s degree in arts (economics) from the University of Delhi. He has been on our Board since June 15, 2017. Mr. Paramartha Saikia was the chief executive officer of J. Walter Thomson Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia, prior to which he was the chief executive officer of Iris Worldwide Integrated Marketing Private Limited. He has also worked with Publicis India where he was the chief executive officer from 2002 to 2007 and with Publicis Dialog and Public Modern where he was the chief executive officer from 2007 to 2009. Further, Mr. Paramartha Saikia had been associated with McCann Erickson India Private Limited as its vice- president and director of account management. He has experience in management, marketing and brand development.
Mr. Pradeep Mathur, aged 60years, is an additionalindependent Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Poonaand a post-graduate diploma in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He was appointed on our Board pursuant to a Board resolution dated December 5, 2017. In the past, Mr. Pradeep Mathurwas previously associated with Tupperware Asia Pacific, Hong Kong as its vice-president, finance and chief financial officer; Tupperware India as its managing director; and Tupperware Corporation Headquarters as its senior vice-president and chief financial officer.He has experience in the field of finance.
Mr. Ravi Kant Jaipuria aged 63 years, is a non-executive Director nominated by RJ Corp as a Director on our Board. He has completed his higher secondary education from Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi, India. Mr. Ravi Kant Jaipuria has been on our Board since December 23, 2003 and was last re-appointed with effect from September 30, 2016. He has an established reputation as an entrepreneur and business leader and is the only Indian to receive PepsiCo’s International Bottler of the Year award, which was awarded in 1997. He is a promoter and director of Varun Beverages Limited and RJ Corp and has nearly 30 years of experience the food and beverages industry.
Mr. Willem Albertus Hazeleger, aged 49 years, is a non-executive Director of our Company nominated by APG. He holds an executive master’s degree in business administration from the Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires(INSEAD) and an executive master’s degree in business administration from Tsinghua University. Mr. Willem Albertus Hazeleger also has a master’s degree in law from University of Utrecht. He has been on our Board since August 9, 2017. Mr. Willem Albertus Hazeleger has been associated with APG Asset Management N.V. since 2009. At present, he serves as the chief executive officer of APG Investments Asia Limited, the Hong Kong subsidiary of APG Asset Management N.V. He has also worked with Linklaters LLP. Mr. Willem Albertus Hazeleger is experienced in investment management.
Mr. Aditya Madhav Keswani, aged 26 years, is a non-executive Director of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from the New York University. Post the completion of his education, Mr. Aditya Madhav Keswani has joined our Company as a non-executive Director on our Board on June 17, 2015.
Mr. Vikramjit Singh aged 42 years is the president of our Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Delhi and a post-graduate diploma degree in hotel management and administration from the Taj Group of Hotels. He was appointed as our chief sales officer with effect from May 21, 2014. Prior to this, he was an entrepreneur. He has 21 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Mr. Davander Tomar aged 56 years is our executive vice-president, corporate affairs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Delhi; a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Delhi; and also a master’s degree in arts from the University of Delhi. He was appointed as the vice-president, security and administration with effect from September 25, 2002. He has previously also worked with Taj Group of Hotels as the security manager of Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi for a period of 18 years. He has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
Mr. Kapil Sharma aged 48 years is our Chief Financial Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Delhi. Mr. Kapil Sharma is a qualified chartered accountant. He was appointed as the deputy general manager (finance) with effect from December 1, 2004 and was designated as the Chief Financial Officer with effect from September 18, 2014. Prior to this, he was with Leroy Somer & Controls India Private Limited as the head of finance and accounts and managed the finance and accounts division with commercial responsibilities. He has previously also worked with AFL Limited as its assistant manager (finance) and with Onida Finance Limited as its manager. He has more than 22 years of experience in the field of finance.
Mr. Jagdish Kumar Chawla aged 60 years is our executive vice president- projects and engineering services and is the chief executive officerin Grey Fox. He holds a diploma degree in electrical engineering from Pusa Polytechnic, Pusa, New Delhi. He was appointed as the vice-president – projects and engineering with effect from November 1, 2002. Prior to this, he was with the Taj Group of Hotels for 20 years. He has previously also worked with the National Thermal Power Corporation, Bharti Electric Steel Company Limited and Mother Dairy while holding various positions. Mr. Jagdish Kumar Chawla has more than 40 years of experience in the field of engineering, constructions and operations.
Mr. Nikhil Sethi aged 38 years is our Group Company Secretary & General Manager – Legal and Compliance Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Delhi and a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Delhi. Mr. Nikhil Sethi is a qualified Company Secretary. Mr. Nikhil Sethi joined our Company on October 1, 2016 as our Group Company Secretary & General Manager – Legal and was appointed as the Company Secretary pursuant to a resolution passed by our Board on December 12, 2016. He has also been designated as the Compliance Officer of our Company with effect from June 15, 2017. Prior to this, he was associated with Punj Lloyd Limited for a year, as its additional general manager. He has previously worked with Asian Hotels (West) Limited as its company secretary from May 2008 until September 2015 and with Mayur Batra & Company and Vishakha Infotech Limited.