Raheel Ahmad New Director of F&B at Accor, South Asia
Accor appoints Raheel Ahmad as Director of Food & Beverage, South Asia, bringing 25+ years of global hospitality leadership experience.
Punita Thakur 
Raheel Ahmad's Role and Strategic Mandate
In his new position, Raheel Ahmad will lead Accor’s food and beverage vision across South Asia. His role involves working closely with hotel teams and regional partners to enhance guest experiences, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen brand positioning across multiple market segments.
His responsibilities include optimising performance across restaurants, banqueting, and social event spaces, while identifying new revenue streams in areas such as lifestyle dining, weddings, and celebrations. He will also support consistency in service delivery while maintaining the unique identity of individual properties.
Focus on Operations and Guest Experience as Food & Beverage Director
Ahmad’s mandate includes streamlining operational processes and strengthening execution frameworks across the F&B function. He will focus on improving coordination between culinary teams, service delivery, and business performance metrics to ensure consistent guest experiences.
In addition to operational priorities, he will lead initiatives aimed at building partnerships, fostering collaborations, and enhancing brand-led dining concepts. Talent development and team capability building will also form a key part of his role, supporting long-term performance across the portfolio.
Raheel Ahmad's Extensive Global Experience
Raheel Ahmad brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality, with exposure to more than 650 hotels, 24 brands, and 22 countries. His career spans a wide range of markets, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam, and India.
His professional journey reflects a transition from a culinary background into regional leadership roles, with a focus on leveraging food and beverage as a central element of guest engagement. His experience includes scaling dining concepts and adapting them to local market preferences while maintaining brand consistency.
Previous Role and Industry Recognition
Prior to joining Accor, Ahmad was part of the senior F&B regional leadership team at
He is also a recipient of the Marriott Global Chef of the Year award, recognising his contribution to culinary excellence and innovation. His work has included collaborations with platforms such as Michelin Guide and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, as well as partnerships with internationally recognised chefs.
Company Context and Regional Focus
The appointment comes as Accor continues to strengthen its food and beverage leadership across South Asia, a region that remains strategically important for growth and brand positioning. F&B operations continue to play a critical role in hospitality, influencing guest experience, revenue generation, and brand differentiation.
Ahmad’s role is expected to support Accor’s efforts to enhance dining experiences while maintaining operational discipline and service consistency across its regional portfolio. His global exposure and experience in managing large-scale F&B operations align with the company’s broader objectives in the South Asian market.
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