MAM
Sahara Star checks in new leadership to elevate luxury and innovation
MUMBAI: Mumbai’s iconic luxury hotel, Sahara Star, has rolled out a suite of leadership appointments, reinforcing its commitment to guest excellence, operational efficiency, and culinary innovation. With a focus on elevating hospitality standards, these key promotions and new hires mark an exciting chapter in the hotel’s growth story.
Santosh Singh steps up as hotel manager, bringing over 22 years of experience across hospitality, ITES, retail, and FMCG. Previously head of procurement for Sahara Star and Aamby Valley City, Singh has been instrumental in streamlining operations and driving cost efficiency. His strategic mindset and process-driven approach make him the perfect choice to lead the hotel’s next phase of excellence.
Joining the ranks is Vikram Prakash Bhardwaj, appointed as head of revenue, strategy & growth. A specialist in AI-driven business intelligence and revenue management, Bhardwaj has nearly two decades of experience in driving profitability across hospitality verticals. His expertise spans rooms, F&B, banquets, memberships, and MICE, ensuring data-backed strategies for revenue optimisation.
The culinary team gets a star addition with chef Ranjan Rajani taking on the role of corporate chef, Sahara Star & Aamby Valley City. With 23 years of experience across Oberoi, Marriott, and Hyatt, he has been at the forefront of menu innovation, kitchen excellence, and redefining fine dining experiences. Expect exciting new culinary creations under his leadership.
Deepali Pinheiro, the newly appointed rooms division manager, moves up from her role as front office manager. Having worked with The Lalit, Western Hotel Abu Dhabi, and Almanar Hotels Dubai, she is set to redefine guest experiences by enhancing operational efficiency and front office service standards.
“The strength of a great hotel lies in the passion and expertise of its people. Our new leadership team embodies this spirit, bringing valuable experience and fresh perspectives to Sahara Star. Their commitment to excellence will help us set new benchmarks in hospitality, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and operational success,” said Sahara Star general manager Salil Fadnis.
In a dual role, Karishma Raghuvanshi takes over as head of training & recruitment at Sahara Star and business head of A-Star Academy, India’s only dedicated hotel school. With her strong background in talent acquisition and hospitality training, she is set to bridge the gap between industry talent and opportunity, shaping the future of hospitality education.
Brands
Boeing appoints Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering function
Seasoned finance leader to steer budgets and strategy across global centres
BENGALURU: Boeing’s finance cockpit has a new pilot, and he is no stranger to turbulence or transformation. Boeing has appointed Barun as head of FP&A for global engineering, placing him at the centre of financial strategy for its worldwide engineering and technology operations.
Based in Bengaluru, Barun steps into a role that is as expansive as it is critical. He will serve as the primary finance lead for Boeing’s Engineering and Technology Centers globally, working closely with executive leadership to shape financial decisions, manage complex budgets, and design scalable finance processes that support the company’s growing engineering footprint.
In a note announcing his move Barun said, “I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Boeing Global Engineering. This opportunity is incredibly meaningful to me not just from a professional standpoint, but also for what Boeing represents globally.” He added that he looks forward to contributing to an organisation that continues to shape the future of aerospace and innovation.
Barun’s mandate spans strategic financial leadership, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement. From directing large-scale budgets and schedules to influencing long-term organisational goals, the role blends financial discipline with business foresight. He will also lead cross-functional teams and partner with finance colleagues worldwide to support engineering programmes across geographies, including India.
The appointment caps a long stint at Juniper Networks, where Barun spent over a decade, most recently as finance senior manager. There, he led FP&A for global product business units and G&A functions, driving budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning. He also played a key role in enterprise-wide transformation, including spearheading an Oracle to SAP ERP migration and building advanced analytics capabilities using tools such as Tableau and SAP Analytics Cloud.
His earlier career includes finance leadership roles at Sony India Software Centre, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Mphasis, where he focused on financial planning, governance frameworks, and operational efficiency across global delivery centres.
A chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Barun brings nearly two decades of experience across financial planning, digital transformation, and analytics-led decision making.
His appointment comes at a time when global engineering operations are becoming increasingly complex and distributed, requiring sharper financial oversight and agile planning. With Barun at the helm of FP&A for engineering, Boeing appears to be tightening its financial playbook as it looks to scale innovation with discipline.
