Surinder Singh Appointed as Area Director – Operations & General Manager at Taj Chandigarh

Taj Chandigarh, part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), has announced the appointment of Surinder Singh as Area Director – Operations & General Manager. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Singh brings an exceptional blend of leadership, innovation, and operational excellence to his new role, reinforcing IHCL’s commitment to setting new benchmarks in luxury hospitality.

A Visionary Leader Takes the Helm

Overseeing Key Regions Across North India

In his expanded role, Surinder Singh will oversee operations and strategic performance across Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Leveraging his vast experience, he will focus on strengthening IHCL’s regional presence through experiential hospitality initiatives designed to enhance guest engagement, drive revenue, and create distinctive value propositions for the brand.

His appointment underscores IHCL’s focus on empowering visionary leaders who can blend operational expertise with innovation to sustain the company’s leadership in the hospitality landscape.

A Visionary with a Legacy of Success

Proven Track Record Across IHCL’s Iconic Hotels

Surinder Singh has been an integral part of IHCL for many years, holding several key leadership roles within the organization. Most recently, he served as Area Director – Operations for Delhi NCR & Haryana and General Manager of Taj City Centre, Gurugram.

Throughout his career, he has successfully led some of IHCL’s most prestigious hotels, including:

• Taj Mahal Lucknow

• Blue Diamond Pune – IHCL SeleQtions

• Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka

• Taj Chandigarh (in an earlier tenure)

Known for his dynamic leadership and strategic foresight, Singh combines his foundation in culinary management with deep operational acumen. His approach emphasizes guest-centric innovation, team empowerment, and continuous improvement, setting new standards of service excellence.

Milestones in Hospitality and Sustainability

Driving Growth with Purpose

During his tenure at Taj City Centre, Gurugram, Singh led the property to record-breaking revenue performance, exceptional guest satisfaction scores, and high employee engagement. His unwavering focus on sustainability and responsible hospitality earned the hotel the prestigious Gold Certification by Earth Check — a global benchmark for environmental performance.

Under his leadership, the property also achieved outstanding audit ratings across safety, hygiene, and quality parameters, reflecting IHCL’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of operations.

Championing Community and Collaboration

Empowering Local Talent and Industry Development

Beyond hotel operations, Surinder Singh has been a passionate advocate for community development and industry collaboration. He has led multiple skill-building and vocational training initiatives in partnership with organizations such as Pratham Education Foundation, helping nurture local talent for careers in hospitality.

His leadership extends beyond IHCL — Singh currently serves as:

• Vice President, Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRAI)

• Executive Committee Member, Hotel Association of India (HAI)

Through these roles, he continues to contribute actively to shaping the future of India’s hospitality industry and promoting sustainable, inclusive growth.

A Leader Shaping the Future of Taj Chandigarh

Academic Excellence and Strategic Vision

Surinder Singh has strengthened his leadership journey through advanced management programs at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including:

• Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad

• Cornell University (USA)

• Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

These programs have enriched his understanding of strategic thinking, guest experience innovation, and organizational transformation — all of which he continues to apply in his leadership at Taj Chandigarh and across the region.

With his appointment, Taj Chandigarh and IHCL’s northern portfolio are set to reach new heights in operational excellence, brand leadership, and guest experience innovation.