InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort announces the appointments of Mr. Sarath Kumar D as Finance & Business Support Manager, Mr. Avik Roy Chowdhury as Front Office Manager, and Mr. Debaraj Rout as Housekeeping Manager. Bringing together extensive experience across financial management, guest services and housekeeping operations, the three leaders strengthen the resort’s management team, bringing expertise in their respective functions and a shared commitment to operational excellence, service quality and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Sarath Kumar D, Finance & Business Support Manager

As Finance & Business Support Manager at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Sarath Kumar D brings over a decade of experience in financial management, business planning and strategic operations across leading hospitality brands including IHG, Marriott and Accor. He oversees the resort’s finance function, leading budgeting, forecasting, compliance and financial strategy while working closely with senior leadership to drive profitability and operational excellence.

Throughout his career, Sarath has held progressive finance leadership roles at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Aloft Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, Fairfield by Marriott Chennai, Mercure Chennai and Club Mahindra Holidays & Resorts. He has successfully led the financial management of a ₹25 crore property renovation, implemented PeopleSoft ERP to strengthen financial reporting, achieved exemplary audit compliance and consistently delivered robust financial planning aligned with business objectives.

An MBA in Finance and Marketing from Anna University, Sarath is recognised for his analytical mindset, strategic decision-making and collaborative leadership style. His expertise spans financial controls, statutory compliance, cost optimisation and process improvement, enabling him to create sustainable financial frameworks that support long-term business growth.

Avik Roy Chowdhury, Front Office Manager

As Front Office Manager, Avik Roy Chowdhury brings over a decade of experience in front office operations, guest services and hotel leadership across prominent IHG and Accor properties. With a strong focus on guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and brand excellence, he leads the front office team in delivering seamless hospitality experiences while driving quality, loyalty and service performance.

Avik’s career has been shaped through progressive leadership roles at Crowne Plaza Bengaluru Electronic City, Holiday Inn Chennai OMR, Holiday Inn Agra, Holiday Inn Goa Candolim, Novotel Kochi Infopark and voco Jim Corbett. Throughout his journey, he has been recognised with several accolades, including Star of the Year, Highest Upseller Award and Manager of the Quarter. As an IHG Certified Trainer and Brand Audit Champion, he has successfully led quality audits, loyalty programmes, operational training and guest experience initiatives, contributing significantly to hotel performance and brand compliance.

A graduate in Hotel Management from NSHM, Durgapur, Avik is known for his guest-first philosophy, collaborative leadership and passion for developing high-performing teams. His expertise in front office operations, quality assurance and service excellence enables him to consistently create memorable guest journeys while strengthening operational standards.

Debaraj Rout, Housekeeping Manager

As Housekeeping Manager at InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, Debaraj Rout brings over 13 years of experience in housekeeping operations, team leadership and hotel pre-openings across leading hospitality brands including IHG and Marriott International. He leads the housekeeping department with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, guest satisfaction and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and service.

Debaraj has built an impressive career through leadership roles at Four Points by Sheraton Nashik, Aloft Bengaluru Whitefield, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bengaluru OMR, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Yeshwanthpur and Holiday Inn & Suites Bengaluru. Having successfully managed multiple pre-opening projects, he has extensive expertise in setting up housekeeping operations, developing standard operating procedures, staff training, inventory management and quality assurance. His contributions have been recognised through several performance awards, including Best Manager and Best Department honours, alongside his certification as an IHG Departmental Trainer.

A diploma holder in Hotel Management, Debaraj is recognised for his disciplined leadership style, operational expertise and commitment to nurturing high-performing teams. Passionate about continuous improvement, he believes that attention to detail, strong people management and consistent service standards are essential to delivering exceptional guest experiences.