Ankur Chandra Appointed Senior Director – Development at Sarovar Hotels — Strengthening Expansion Strategy

A strategic leadership move at Sarovar Hotels sees the return of Ankur Chandra as Senior Director – Development, reinforcing the group’s focus on accelerating growth across domestic and international markets. The appointment comes at a time when the company is expanding its footprint across midscale and upscale segments, making development leadership central to its next phase of scale.

Career Foundation

With over two decades in the hospitality industry, Ankur Chandra has built a career that bridges operational insight with long-term development strategy. Early exposure to hotel operations provided him with an understanding of on-ground execution, enabling him to align project feasibility with brand standards.

His professional journey evolved through roles that required evaluating market potential, engaging with ownership groups, and translating business opportunities into viable hotel projects. Over time, this blend of operational grounding and development expertise shaped his ability to assess locations, structure partnerships, and drive expansion in competitive environments.

Most Recent Role and Key Achievements

Before rejoining Sarovar Hotels, Ankur Chandra was associated with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), where he served as Corporate Director – Real Estate & Development. In this capacity, he contributed to expanding the brand’s portfolio through strategic project identification and execution.

His responsibilities involved working across multiple markets, assessing investment opportunities, and supporting long-term growth initiatives. The role required managing complex stakeholder relationships, aligning brand vision with ownership expectations, and advancing development pipelines in a competitive hospitality landscape. This experience strengthened his expertise in scaling portfolios while maintaining operational and financial viability.

Education and Professional Competencies

While specific academic details are not publicly disclosed, Ankur Chandra’s career reflects strong competencies in real estate evaluation, strategic planning, and stakeholder management. His professional approach integrates analytical decision-making with practical execution, enabling him to navigate both operational and development challenges effectively.

Scope of New Role

In his new capacity at Sarovar Hotels, Ankur Chandra will lead the company’s development function, focusing on expanding the brand’s presence through new hotel signings and partnerships. His mandate includes identifying high-growth destinations, engaging with investors and property owners, and strengthening the overall development pipeline.

Operating within a portfolio of over 150 hotels across India, Nepal, and Africa, and backed by Groupe du Louvre, the role places him at the centre of the company’s expansion strategy. The appointment signals Sarovar’s intent to scale aggressively in emerging markets while consolidating its presence in established destinations.

The reappointment of Ankur Chandra underscores Sarovar Hotels’ commitment to structured growth, positioning development leadership as a key driver of its expansion trajectory.