Brands
ITC Hotels unveils an ‘Epiq’ new chapter in luxury
MUMBAI: ITC Hotels is spelling epic with a ‘q’. The hospitality giant has unveiled its newest premium brand, Epiq Collection, marking a fresh chapter in its growth story and adding sparkle to its ‘Asset-Right’ expansion strategy.
The first destinations to host this new brand are two of India’s most culturally vibrant cities, Puri and Tirupati. The 118-key Epiq Collection Puri, an owned property, and the 201-key Epiq Collection Tirupati, a managed hotel, are set to open within the next two years, both joining the Club ITC rewards programme. Together, they signal a refined blend of modern sensibility and soulful Indian hospitality.
“The launch of Epiq Collection marks an important milestone in the evolution of ITC Hotels’ brand architecture,” said ITC Hotels Limited managing director Anil Chadha. “We are curating experiences that are contemporary in sensibility yet timeless in their connection to place.”
The brand aims to add around 1,000 rooms in the medium term and will feature premium hotels and resorts, each with its own distinctive character, design language and culinary identity. Staying true to ITC Hotels’ reputation for sustainability and culinary excellence, the Epiq Collection will celebrate regional cuisines with a modern twist, where local inspiration meets global sophistication.
Designed to host both new builds and repositioned premium properties, Epiq Collection promises to be a reflection of social vitality, service finesse, and that unmistakable Indian warmth that defines ITC’s hospitality ethos.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
