Success stories often inspire and motivate us, and one such tale is that of Sanjeev Nanda, a prominent hotelier who has made a mark in the hospitality industry. From his early beginnings to his remarkable ventures and achievements, Nanda’s journey exemplifies determination, perseverance and a passion for excellence.
Biography
Born on 17 January 1978 in New Delhi to Suresh and Renu Nanda, Sanjeev Nanda is the younger of their two children. He completed his schooling from the distinguished Modern School, New Delhi and had a passion for tennis. Due to his knee injury, he had to stop participating in tournaments. He was more than an average student and completed his higher education from the esteemed Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His educational background laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors and served as a catalyst for his career in hospitality industry. Currently based in Dubai, he is married to Medha Nanda since 2010 and has two daughters.
Foray into entrepreneurship
After completing his education, Sanjeev Nanda worked for illustrious companies like ANZ Grindlays Bank and Barclays Capital. He later founded a website development firm with few of his friends, which served as the starting point for his entrepreneurial journey. Sanjeev Nanda made the decision to join his family’s hospitality business in 2001. His leadership, innovative ideas and strategic thinking helped the company land significant orders, demonstrating his strength as a businessman.
While working for his family business, Nanda decided to pursue higher studies and got his MBA degree from INSEAD after taking a sabbatical from work. After coming back, he took over the company’s leadership and became the CEO in 2005.
Ventures and Achievements
Sanjeev Nanda’s ambition is to establish a world-class hospitality brand associated with elegance and comfort. As an entrepreneur, he was involved in the development of the Sea Rock Hotel in Mumbai and the establishment of The Claridges Surajkund in 2008. He was also the brainchild behind the concept of Dhaba by Claridges. These hotels experienced a tremendous overhaul under his direction, upgrading them to one of the finest in the country. Nanda’s rigorous attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction set new standards for the entire sector. He was connected with other well-established businesses after The Claridges’ success.
Nanda has been instrumental in securing a contract with the Billionaire Brand and developing one of Dubai’s most exclusive restro-bars, Billionaire Mansion.From being involved in some of the most innovative restaurant projects of all time, such as Toto’s in London and Miss Tess in Dubai, to being part of the health care sector, Sanjeev Nanda has done it all. He has been serving as the Managing Director of the Dubai-based holding company- Downtown Investment Management LLC, Russian pharma company- Pharm Aid Ltd and ISHVAN Pharmaceuticals.
His hotels have won several honors and recognitions, including prominent titles like ‘Best Luxury Hotel’ and ‘Leading Business Hotel’ at major industry events. These accomplishments bear witness to his persistent commitment to excellence and his capacity to continuously go above and beyond for customers. Establishing himself as a global leader,Nanda has distinguished himself in many circles due to his business savvy and innovative outlook.
Sustainable Practices and Humanitarian efforts
Sanjeev Nanda understands the value of environmental responsibility and has introduced various eco-friendly measures, such as energy-efficient infrastructure, waste management systems, and programs to benefit local communities. His goal is to have a positive impact on the environment and society by fusing luxury and sustainability.
Aside from his business pursuits, Sanjeev Nanda believes in giving back to society. He is an accomplished humanitarian and social worker. His dedication to promoting social development is demonstrated by his efforts for women of Banjani Village, a tiny hamlet in Himachal Pradesh, India. Nanda and his wife are working towards women empowerment by assisting them in organizing and forming the Mahila Ekta Group, a self-help group. To evaluate the achievements of the group, Nanda frequently travels to the village and help them with materials and logistics for their enterprise of paper and cloth bags.
Thoughts and Vision
Nanda emphasizes the importance of creating memorable experiences that go beyond luxury amenities, focusing on personalized service, culinary innovation and a deep understanding of cultural nuances.
In his words, “It is important to embrace cutting-edge, modern advancements and leveraging technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and deliver personalized services tailored to each customer’s preferences. However, amidst all these, it is equally vital to cherish our traditions and cultural heritage. Embracing sustainability and working for the betterment of society should remain at the heart of our endeavors, as we strive to create a harmonious blend of innovation, traditionality and social responsibility.”
