JLL Appoints Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality Group, India

JLL Strengthens Asia Leadership, Appoints Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality for India

In a significant move that underscores the strategic importance of the Indian market, global real estate consultancy giant JLL has announced the appointment of Gaurav Sharma as its new Head of Hotels & Hospitality Group for India and Senior Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Asia. This dual role positions Sharma to lead JLL's hospitality advisory and transaction practice across the dynamic Indian subcontinent while also influencing capital market strategies across the wider Asia region.

Based in Delhi, Sharma will report directly to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotel & Hospitality Group for Asia Pacific. This appointment marks a strategic homecoming for Sharma, who previously led capital markets for North India at JLL between 2006 and 2012. His return comes at a pivotal moment for India's hospitality industry, which is experiencing an unprecedented phase of record-breaking growth and investment.

A Strategic Appointment for a Booming Market

The decision to bring Gaurav Sharma onboard reflects JLL's commitment to deepening its expertise and influence within India's rapidly expanding hotel and tourism ecosystem.

Bolstering Expertise in a High-Growth Sector

Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic nature of the appointment. “Gaurav’s appointment reinforces JLL’s commitment to deepening our hospitality expertise in India,” Ercan stated. “His deep market understanding and exceptional transaction experience make him ideally suited to guide our clients through this next phase of growth.”

Ercan further highlighted that Sharma's return is a clear signal of JLL's targeted investment in the Indian hotel market, a commitment backed by dedicated, on-the-ground hospitality teams operating out of key cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.

Gaurav Sharma: A Profile of Leadership and Transactional Prowess

Gaurav Sharma is not new to the high-stakes world of hotel real estate. He brings to the role nearly two decades of specialized experience in real estate and hospitality investment, with a formidable track record spanning asset acquisitions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fundraising, and strategic portfolio management.

A Career Defined by Landmark Roles

His most recent position was as Vice President – Real Estate, Head of Asset Management & M&A at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the parent company of the Taj Hotels portfolio. In this capacity, he was at the helm of strategic initiatives overseeing IHCL's vast and valuable real estate assets.

Prior to his tenure at IHCL, Sharma spent over a decade as Vice President – Head of Investments at SAMHI Hotels Ltd, where he played a foundational role in building one of India's largest and most dynamic hotel ownership and investment platforms. This extensive background provides him with a unique, 360-degree perspective from both the ownership and advisory sides of the business.

A Vision for the Future of Indian Hospitality

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Gaurav Sharma pointed to the immense potential of the current market landscape.

“I am thrilled to return to JLL and contribute to the expansion of our hospitality practice in India,” said Sharma. “The Indian hospitality sector is entering an exciting phase of growth, and I look forward to working closely with our clients to unlock value and navigate evolving market dynamics with strategic precision.”

In his leadership capacity, Sharma will be tasked with guiding hotel owners, investors, and developers through complex transactions, providing strategic advice on market entry, asset valuation, and capital deployment. His appointment is a clear indicator that JLL is positioning itself at the very forefront of India's hospitality growth story, leveraging top-tier talent to capture the opportunities presented by one of the world's most vibrant travel markets.