Rahul Kharat Nominated for HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence
Rahul Kharat, Head – HR & Administration at Lords Hotels & Resorts, is nominated for the HCP Human Resources Award 2026.
Munni Khatun 
As the hospitality industry continues to recognise senior professionals who drive organisational excellence through structured people strategies, nominations for the HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence have highlighted several accomplished HR leaders. Among this year’s distinguished nominees is Rahul Kharat, Head – HR & Administration at Lords Hotels & Resorts.
With over 23 years of extensive cross-industry experience, Rahul Kharat is a seasoned human resources leader known for building disciplined, compliant, and high-performance workplace cultures. His career spans hospitality, food and beverage, infrastructure, real estate, manufacturing, and agro-chemical sectors, providing him with a diverse and strategic perspective on HR leadership.
Currently leading the HR and Administration function at Lords Hotels & Resorts, Rahul oversees multi-unit hotel operations, aligning people strategies with business objectives across locations. His responsibilities include manpower planning, talent acquisition, training and development, performance management systems, compensation and benefits, and employee engagement initiatives aimed at improving productivity and retention.
A key strength of Rahul’s leadership lies in ensuring 100 percent compliance with statutory, labour, and employment laws. He has consistently maintained strong governance through audits, documentation, and coordination with regulatory authorities. His expertise in industrial relations and union management has enabled him to maintain a stable and positive work environment while effectively handling grievances, disciplinary processes, and workforce challenges.
Prior to his current role, Rahul led HR operations for the Mumbai Monorail Project (a semi-government infrastructure initiative), where he implemented compliance tracking systems, strengthened HR risk management practices, and drove process improvements across large-scale operations. His earlier tenure with Lords Hotels & Resorts as Head – Human Resources further reinforced his expertise in multi-property HR management.
Rahul’s career also includes leadership roles with Hotel Sayaji Kolhapur, Hotel Krishna Palace Mumbai, Panoramic Universal Ltd., and Cavim Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., where he successfully handled HR operations, industrial relations, union negotiations, and policy implementation across hospitality businesses. His early career with Indian Adventures, a premier wildlife resort chain, laid the foundation for his expertise in hospitality HR operations and expansion support.
Academically, Rahul holds an MBA in Human Resources & Industrial Relations and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mumbai University. His core competencies include HR strategy, industrial relations, statutory compliance, collective bargaining, talent management, employee engagement, and workforce administration.
The HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence recognises HR leaders who demonstrate consistency, governance excellence, and people-first leadership. Rahul Kharat’s nomination reflects his long-standing contribution to building compliant, efficient, and high-performing hospitality organisations through strong HR systems and disciplined people management.
