Swapnil S. S. Vaidya Nominated for HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence

As the hospitality industry continues to recognise HR leaders who ensure operational stability through people governance, compliance, and engagement, nominations for the HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence have highlighted several seasoned professionals. Among this year’s nominees is Swapnil S. S. Vaidya, Human Resource Manager at Planet Hollywood, Thane’s first five-star hotel.

With over two decades of experience in human resource management, including more than 12 years in the hospitality sector, Swapnil Vaidya is widely regarded as a dependable HR leader with strong expertise in industrial relations, statutory compliance, and end-to-end HR operations. His professional philosophy centres on placing the right people at the right time and the right place to support service excellence.

Currently associated with Planet Hollywood Thane since May 2022, Swapnil leads the hotel’s complete HR and personnel function. His responsibilities span recruitment and manpower planning, onboarding and appraisals, CTC structuring, attendance and leave management, payroll processing, MIS reporting, and statutory compliance. He also oversees employee engagement initiatives, grievance handling, exit interviews, welfare programmes, and POSH implementation.

A key strength of Swapnil’s leadership lies in his extensive experience liaising with statutory and government authorities. He has worked closely with labour departments, excise authorities, municipal corporations, police departments, and fire authorities, ensuring uninterrupted operational compliance. His portfolio also includes management of licences such as FL-III liquor licence, FSSAI, FHRAI, Novex, fire and municipal approvals, and labour licences as principal employer.

Prior to his current role, Swapnil served as HR Manager at Hotel Marine Plaza (Sarovar Premier), Goldfinch Hotel Mumbai, and VITS Mumbai – Kamat Hotels, where he handled full-spectrum HR operations in upscale hospitality environments. His earlier experience includes managing HR functions for SK Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. (Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s restaurant brands), OM Pizza & Eats India Pvt. Ltd. (Jawad Group, Bahrain), and Papa John’s Pizza, Chili’s, and The Kabab Factory brands, providing him with exposure to high-volume restaurant operations and international HR practices.

Swapnil’s career foundation was built across construction, manufacturing, securities, and power sectors, including an early role with Dabhol Power (ENRON). This diverse exposure has strengthened his understanding of discipline management, contractor compliance, union interactions, and cross-industry HR governance.

Academically, he holds a PG Diploma in Human Resource Management from Symbiosis College, Pune, a Diploma in Training & Development from ISTD, New Delhi (recognised by the Ministry of HRD), and a Bachelor of Science degree from Mumbai University. His technical proficiency includes HR and payroll software, biometric attendance systems, and advanced MS Office applications.

The HCP Human Resources Award 2026 – The People’s Choice for Hospitality Excellence honours HR professionals who combine experience, compliance leadership, and people-centric governance. Swapnil S. S. Vaidya’s nomination reflects his sustained contribution to strengthening HR systems, maintaining industrial harmony, and supporting hospitality excellence through disciplined and structured people management.