Suresh Nanda is chairman of Claridges Group of Hotels

New Delhi: The prestigious Claridges Group of Hotels has appointed Suresh Nanda as the chairman of the Claridges group. With his international perspective, Nanda is all geared up to transform the Claridges Group of Hotels into a world-class 'boutique' hotel in India. Nanda, having a stake of 20 per cent, along with other overseas investors who have an 80-per cent stake has finalised the deal for Rs 96 crore.

Says Nanda: "It will be our endeavour to make Claridges one of the most preferred destinations for customers in India and abroad. The new assignment is very challenging and I am truly excited and optimistic about the overall growth of the chain."

The Claridges Group of Hotels has 100-per cent ownership of the New Delhi property, while the Claridges Nabha Palace, Mussoorie property is on lease for 15 years. The group also manages two properties - Claridges Naini Retreat at Nainital and Claridges Corbett Hideaway at Corbett Park.

The four hotels will be managed by a team of professional managers and industry experts. The new management has chalked out renovation plans for the hotels, and has also drawn up sales and marketing plans to aggressively promote the four hotels. Revamp of the hotel chain beginning this year includes infrastructure upgrading, introduction of new restaurants, regular training sessions for the staff and initiation of new marketing and promotional programmes.

Nanda already runs a company called Commerce One India, which is the Indian arm of Nasdaq-listed Commerce One Inc. Through its software, services, and global network of interconnected enterprises and e-marketplaces, Commerce One India enables organisations to reduce costs and drive productivity by automating business processes between buyers and suppliers.

Nanda is 61 years old and is married with two children. At leisure he enjoys playing golf, and loves to travel.

The Claridges hotel was set up in early 1950 in Lutyen's Delhi spread over three acres of land. It has a distinctive colonial character with an exclusive charm to it and is patronised regularly by a dedicated clientele.