Brands
Holiday Inn Express appoints Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales & marketing
Hospitality veteran to drive growth across SAMHI-owned India portfolio
GURUGRAM: Holiday Inn Express has appointed Palash Swarup as portfolio director of sales and marketing, entrusting him with driving commercial performance across its 12 hotels in India owned by SAMHI Hotels.
In his new role, Swarup will oversee sales strategy, revenue optimisation and business development across multiple markets, with a focus on strengthening the brand’s position in India’s competitive hospitality landscape.
Swarup brings over 18 years of experience spanning hospitality, aviation and IT consulting. He began his career in food and beverage before transitioning into sales and marketing, building expertise across corporate, leisure, MICE, airline and events segments.
Most recently, he served as cluster director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Hotels, where he managed commercial operations across multiple properties. His career also includes leadership roles at Hilton Hotels, Taj Hotels and Sagax, giving him broad exposure to diverse markets and customer segments.
“I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to working closely with the team to further strengthen Holiday Inn Express’s position in the market,” said Palash Swarup. “With a strong focus on data-led strategies, collaboration and excellence execution, my aim is to drive sustainable growth while delivering consistent value.”
An alumnus of Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management Chandigarh, Swarup is expected to play a key role in scaling the brand’s commercial capabilities as it expands its footprint in India.
The appointment reflects Holiday Inn Express’s continued push to sharpen its market edge through experienced leadership. As competition intensifies in the mid-scale hospitality segment, the focus remains clear: consistent performance, stronger positioning and a sharper play on growth.
Brands
Funskool India crosses US$40 million turnover in FY 2025-26
Toy manufacturer posts steady growth despite global headwinds.
MUMBAI: Funskool India has played its cards well turning challenges into steady growth while keeping the fun alive in the toy business. The country’s leading toy manufacturer has reported a turnover of $40 million in FY 2025-26, demonstrating resilience in a difficult global environment. The company recorded an average growth of 14 per cent over the past two years, with exports growing at a healthy 19% year-on-year.
While domestic business grew at a modest single-digit pace, Funskool saw encouraging traction in key categories such as Fundough (dough) and Handycrafts (arts & crafts).
Funskool India Ltd. CEO K.A. Shabir said, “We successfully navigated the challenges posed by US tariffs last year and continued to grow both our export and domestic businesses. Given the ongoing geopolitical situation in West Asia, we are currently working with a moderate growth outlook of 12–15 per cent, with plans to revisit our targets after Q1 once the situation stabilises.”
He highlighted strengthened partnerships with global companies including Spin Master (Canada), Moose Toys (Australia), Melissa & Doug (USA), Asmodee (France), Learning Resources (USA), and Buffalo Games (USA). The expansion of the company’s Goa plant is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the current financial year.
Looking ahead, Funskool expects a significant shift in domestic growth momentum for FY 2026-27, driven by new categories such as friction vehicles under the brand “BlazeTrix”, remote-control cars under “VoltRush”, and the addition of popular licences like Paw Patrol.
In an industry where playtime never stops, Funskool has shown that even in turbulent times, a smart strategy and strong partnerships can keep the business ticking along nicely. As it gears up for the next financial year, the company appears well-positioned to build on its solid foundation and bring even more joy to children worldwide.
