Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which runs the Taj chain of hotels, has appointed India-born Puneet Chhatwal as chief executive officer. Chhatwal is the CEO of Frankfurt-headquartered Deutsche Hospitality, which owns the Steigenburger chain of hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Chhatwal will replace Rakesh Sarna who is stepping down with effect from September 30, 2017. Born and brought up in Delhi, Chhatwal attended Delhi Public School in Mathura Road and thereafter pursued a degree in hotel management at IHM, Pusa Road. He has completed his masters in hospitality administration from ESSEC Business School in France.
Chhatwal started his career with ITDC and was chief development officer of the Rezidor Hotel group, which owns the popular Radisson brand of hotels, before joining Deutsche Hospitality in 2012.
The company has been weighed down by debt accumulated due to an overseas expansion drive that began in 2007 leading to the acquisition of properties in the US. IHCL operates around 134 hotels with over 16,000 rooms.