The LaLiT Suri Hospitality School Appoints Rocky Kalra as CEO

The LaLiT Suri Hospitality School has appointed Rocky Kalra as its Chief Executive Officer, bringing more than three decades of hospitality experience to an institution focused on preparing the industry’s next generation of professionals.

Kalra’s career spans senior leadership roles with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, ITC Hotels, Costa Coffee and The Park, giving him experience across hotel operations, service excellence, team development and guest experience. His background, however, extends beyond traditional hospitality leadership. He is also trained in psychology and counselling and is a certified Yoga teacher, bringing a strong people-focused dimension to his new role.

As CEO, Kalra will lead the School’s strategic direction, with priorities including strengthening academic programmes, developing industry partnerships and preparing students for a hospitality sector that is becoming increasingly people-centric.

The appointment comes as India’s hotel industry expands and competition for skilled professionals intensifies. India’s evolving hospitality landscape is creating demand not only for operational expertise but also for leaders who understand people, technology and changing guest expectations.

Kalra’s emphasis on empathy, emotional intelligence and resilience could therefore become a defining part of the School’s approach as it develops future hospitality leaders.