GURUGRAM, INDIA – 27th April 2026 Holiday Inn Express owned by SAMHI has announced the appointment of Arpita Roy as Portfolio Director – Human Resources. In this role, she will lead the HR function across the 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels in India owned by SAMHI.

Arpita has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry. Her expertise in employee engagement, organisational development, HR strategy, and people practices will be invaluable in her role. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening workplace culture, enhancing employee experience, and driving effective HR systems.

Prior to this role, Arpita has held key positions with globally recognised hospitality and entertainment brands. Most recently, she served as Human Resources Manager – PAN India at Encalm Hospitality, where she was responsible for implementing HR policies, supporting employee engagement initiatives, and strengthening HR processes across multiple locations. Her career progression also includes roles with Hyatt, Carlson Rezidor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Merlin Entertainments, where she gained extensive experience across diverse organisational environments.

Priyanka Ahluwalia, Cluster General Manager, added, “We are delighted to welcome Arpita to the Holiday Inn Express portfolio. Her extensive experience and people-centric approach will play a pivotal role in strengthening our HR framework across all properties. As we continue to grow, building a strong, inclusive and high-performance culture remains a key priority, and we are confident that her leadership will further enhance employee engagement and organisational excellence across the portfolio.”

Commenting on her appointment, Arpita Roy said, “I am delighted to take on this new role and look forward to working closely with the team to further strengthen people practices across the portfolio. With a strong focus on collaboration, employee engagement, and effective HR strategies, my aim is to build a high-performance culture while delivering meaningful employee experiences.”

With this appointment, Holiday Inn Express aims to further strengthen its HR capabilities and continue building a strong, people-first culture across its growing footprint in India.

This appointment also reflects Holiday Inn Express’ “Room to Belong” philosophy, which focuses on fostering an inclusive environment where colleagues feel valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully.

ABOUT HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing brand, removing barriers to travel. The brand champions simple, smart travel and was created in 1991 to challenge convention in the travel industry. The brand caters to smart, savvy travellers who are on the move and two steps ahead who need a hotel to serve as a no-fuss basecamp where they can rest, relax and

recharge before making their next connection. Holiday Inn Express is committed to delivering more where it matters most through a consistent experience, thoughtful design and value-rich essentials.