Raza brings to his expanded role a distinctive combination of operational expertise, business leadership, hotel development experience and people management. His career has encompassed hotel operations, general management, development projects, business performance, talent development, organisational transformation and stakeholder management.
Prior to his expanded mandate, Raza served as General Manager – Development (Pan India) at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, where he led hotel development initiatives, new openings, brand expansion and project execution. His responsibilities included managing projects from planning through commissioning, driving cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement and change management.
Earlier, as General Manager of The LaLiT Great Eastern, Kolkata, Raza led the operations of the 240-key luxury heritage hotel, Asia’s first luxury hotel, with a history spanning nearly 180 years. He was responsible for the hotel’s overall operations, financial performance, revenue management, cost optimisation, guest experience, people development and major renovation projects. During his tenure, the hotel achieved a 12% year-on-year increase in room revenue.
His career has included senior leadership and operational positions with The LaLiT and IHG Hotels & Resorts, including Director of Rooms at Crowne Plaza Greater Noida and Front Office leadership positions at The LaLiT New Delhi and Crowne Plaza properties in India and overseas.
Commenting on Raza’s expanded corporate responsibility, Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said:
“Kamal has been an integral part of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group for many years, and his journey with the Group reflects a strong understanding of our business, our culture and our people. Over the years, he has taken on diverse leadership responsibilities across hotel operations, general management and development, consistently bringing a strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the hospitality industry. His move into this expanded role is a natural progression of that journey and reflects the trust we place in his leadership. With Hotel Development and Human Resources coming together under his mandate, Kamal will play an important role in strengthening both our growth pipeline and the people capabilities that will enable us to deliver on our future ambitions.”
In his expanded role, Raza will continue to spearhead hotel development initiatives while also leading the Group’s Human Resources function. His mandate will encompass strengthening talent acquisition, leadership development, learning and development, employee engagement, performance management, organisational capability and HR systems and processes.
The combined responsibility reflects an integrated approach to hotel development and human development — building the Group’s physical portfolio while simultaneously strengthening the people, leadership capabilities and organisational culture required to support its growth.
Raza’s extensive experience in hotel operations and development brings a strong business perspective to the people function, with a focus on creating high-performing teams, developing future leaders and ensuring that people capabilities evolve in line with the Group’s business ambitions.
Commenting on his expanded responsibility, Kamal Raza said:
“Hotel development and human development are closely connected. As we build and grow our hotel portfolio, it is equally important to build the people, leadership capabilities and organisational culture that will support that growth. In my expanded role, I will continue to focus on hotel development while working closely with our teams to strengthen our talent, leadership and organisational capabilities. Our objective is to create an organisation that is future-ready, performance-driven and deeply committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our guests.”
Raza has completed the Senior Leadership Program at the Indian School of Hospitality and the Management Development Program – Strategy from ICFAI Business School, Gurgaon. He holds a PG Diploma in Accommodation Operations and Management from FCI, Aligarh, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta.
With his experience spanning hotel operations, general management, hotel development and human resources, Raza brings an integrated business and people perspective to his expanded corporate mandate at The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group.
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