Debanjan Bhattacharya

With over 16 years of executive leadership in hotels, Debanjan is a seasoned hotelier with a proven track record in enhancing hotel operations, driving high ROI, and delivering top-tier guest experiences. Debanjan's career spans diverse cultures and geographies, including India, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Bengali, he brings a global perspective to the role.

Debanjan's expertise extends to finance and marketing, where he has successfully managed budgets, controlled expenditures, and executed effective marketing strategies to boost business visibility and profitability. He has a strong focus on increasing Average Daily Rate (ADR), Gross Operating Profits (GOP), and occupancy growth through innovative approaches. Debanjan's leadership style emphasizes collaboration, respect, and mentorship, fostering a team environment that thrives on continuous learning and growth.

He is passionate about nurturing the next generation of hoteliers, creating spaces where professional development is a priority. Committed to operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences, he aims to make a lasting impact in the hospitality industry while guiding future leaders to achieve their potential.

Cluster General Manager - IHG Hotels & Resorts - Kent, England, United Kingdom

(2022-12)

Overseeing three IHG-franchised properties, owned and operated by Leaf Hotels Group, with a focus on maintaining brand excellence, driving profitability, and ensuring guest satisfaction.

• December 2022: Appointed General Manager at Holiday Inn Dover.
• June 2023: Expanded role to Cluster General Manager, overseeing Holiday Inn Express Canterbury.
• November 2024: Further expanded portfolio to include voco The Clifton Folkestone.

General Manager - Holiday Inn (IHG Hotels & Resorts) - Dover

(2022-12)

Led the prestigious Holiday Inn Dover, featuring elegant accommodations, versatile event spaces, and a grand 400-seat marquee. Enhanced dining experiences with Bella Italia, Junction Bar & Grill, Starbucks, and the Garden Hideaway.

• Increased ADR by 18%, meeting financial targets.
• Optimized Food & Beverage strategies, significantly boosting revenue.
• Enhanced employee engagement and training, resulting in a 70% performance increase.
• Established a lucrative partnership with external vehicle service providers, increasing revenue by 8%.
• Cut beverage costs by 15% through strategic procurement and inventory management.
• Promoted sustainability by updating in-room amenities and Food & Beverage options.
• Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives, reducing operational expenses by 10% without compromising service quality.

General Manager - Sadie Best Western, Luton, England - Luton

(2021-10 - 2022-12)

Managed a 4-star upscale boutique hotel with 87 rooms, overseeing the pre-opening and full operational setup.

• Established brand positioning and developed comprehensive sales and marketing strategy to penetrate the local market.
• Developed SOPs and ensured smooth coordination between departments for a successful launch.
• Led recruitment, training, and development of the hotel's management and operational teams, ensuring high service standards.
• Secured strategic partnerships with local suppliers, event organizers, and service providers to enhance the hotel's offering.
• Delivered quarterly reports on financial performance, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency to Managing Director.

General Manager - Ramee Group of Hotels & Resorts, Bahrain - Manama

(2017-08 - 2021-10)

Oversaw operations of Ramee California and Ramee International, two 4-star hotels with a combined 244 rooms and 14 F&B outlets.

• Achieved a top regional guest satisfaction score of 95.8%.
• Introduced in-room mini bars, enhancing guest experience and increasing revenue by 7%.
• Revitalized a struggling hotel into one of the top performers in the city, significantly increasing profits and guest satisfaction.
• Directed sales and revenue management strategies to increase room occupancy rates and maximize F&B revenue streams.
• Introduced cost-control measures across departments, reducing overall operating costs by 15% without compromising quality.
• Achieved the highest sale record over achieving budget by 28%.
• Improved the F&B menu and achieved recommended F&B costing as per standard.
• Implemented guest loyalty programs and launched local marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility.
• Managed capital projects, including renovation and refurbishment plans, to maintain high operational standards.
• Successfully navigated post-COVID recovery, improving occupancy rates by 20% through targeted marketing and partnerships.

General Manager - Haut Monde by PI Group of Hotels & Resorts - Gurugram

(2015-09 - 2017-07)

Managed a 91-room 4-star business hotel with multiple F&B outlets, delivering substantial improvements in guest satisfaction and financial performance.

• Elevated the hotel's Trip Advisor ranking from 193 to 27 in the region within a year.
• Revenue growth by 38%.
• Implemented a guest-centric service model that increased repeat business and customer retention by 40%.
• Improved services and implemented cost-cutting measures by 16%.
• Collaborated with the local tourism board and businesses to increase the hotel's visibility and attract corporate clients.
• Coordination between departments for a successful launch.
• Improved employee engagement by 90%.
• Enhanced profitability by improving operational workflows, renegotiating vendor contracts, and implementing energy-saving initiatives.

Rooms Division Manager - Imperial Group of Hotels, Uganda - Entebbe, Kampala

(2014-12 - 2015-08)

Managed operations at Imperial Royal and Imperial Botanical Beach, two hotels with a combined 503 rooms, 33 banquets, and 10 F&B outlets.

• Improved OTAs by 27%.
• Improved room amenities in all rooms achieving guest satisfaction on by 80%.
• Led and trained a diverse team of 290 staff, including departmental heads, on guest service excellence and professional grooming standards.
• Enhanced guest experiences and operational efficiency through strategic service improvements.

Operations Manager - Sun Africa Hotels (Preferred Hotels Group), Kenya - Nairobi

(2014-02 - 2014-10)

Led operations at Sovereign Suites, a 5-star luxury hotel, maintaining its status as a World Luxury Hotel Award winner for three consecutive years.

• Achieved growth in occupancy by 30% by introducing OTAs.
• Introduced staff training programs that improved service quality and guest experiences.

Duty Manager - Aloft Whitefield Bangalore (Starwood Hotels & Resorts), India - Bangalore

(2013-02 - 2014-02)

Managed daily operations of a 166-room business hotel, ensuring seamless guest services and operational efficiency.

• Developed and implemented guest service protocols that enhanced satisfaction scores and operational performance.

Front Office Associate - Novotel Bangalore TechPark (Accor), India - Bangalore

(2011-08 - 2012-12)

Part of the pre-opening team for a 547-room 5-star hotel, contributing to the successful launch and ongoing front office operations.

Management Trainee - Taj Bengal Kolkata, India - Kolkata

(2010-05 - 2011-06)

Taj Bengal Kolkata is a 5-star luxury hotel with 229 rooms.

Industrial Trainee - Hotel Jaipur Palace, India - Jaipur

(2008-05 - 2008-09)

Eye-opening experience to the field of Hospitality and Guest relations where I Successfully completed 23 weeks of Industrial Exposure training in the core departments of the hotel, Front Office, House Keeping, Food and Beverage service, Food & Beverage production also cross-trained in Sales and Marketing.

BA - Hospitality Management - Edinburgh Napier University (2010)

Advanced Diploma - International Hospitality Administration - International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Kolkata, India (2009)