Foreigners running the show at Indian Hotels

Indian Hotels Company has been steadily inducting expatriates into its operations over the last few months.

Not only was executive director Raymond Bickson, a United States national, elevated to replace R K Krishna Kumar as managing director in June, but the Taj group has also filled several top corporate positions, and that of executive chefs at two of its premium hotels, with expatriates.

And more expat appointments will follow across ranks, senior Indian Hotels executives say, as part of a move to "internationalise the work culture and image of the group."

Senior Taj executives said: "This is in line with the plan to make the Taj a global chain and an international brand, as this will help raise operational standards to global benchmarks. Hence we are recruiting senior personnel with international credentials."

Beate Mauder, a German national, has been inducted into the group as IHCL's vice-president, marketing. Mauder reports to Ajoy Misra, head of sales and marketing.

Before joining the Taj, Mauder was managing director, leading marketing services at Leading Hotels of the World, New York, and director of sales and marketing at the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok.

At the group's flagship property, the Taj Mahal in Mumbai, the group has appointed another German national, Birgit Zorniger, as general manager.

Zorniger was earlier with the Rafael group, Monaco, and Regent International Hotels, Hong Kong.

Peter Wynne, another expat, has come in as general manager for the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Wynne has worked in resort hotels in Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Seychelles, and the British Virgin Islands.

At the 7-star Taj Lands End in Mumbai, Michel Breliere, a French national, has been appointed as executive chef. Another German is being appointed the executive chef at the Taj Exotica in Goa.

Bickson joined Indian Hotels earlier this year as executive director and chief operating officer, luxury hotels division. Bickson has over 30 years experience in various international luxury hotels throughout Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.

Prior to joining the Taj, Bickson was general manager of the Mark, formerly the New York flagship of the Rafael group of hotels and now owned by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel group.