Black Rock Hotels & Resorts has appointed Nilay Saran as Vice President – Sales, adding an experienced commercial leader to its senior management team as the hospitality company expands its portfolio and strengthens its presence across key markets.
Saran brings more than 26 years of hospitality experience spanning sales leadership, commercial strategy, business development, hotel pre-openings, multi-property sales, MICE, destination weddings, key account management and strategic partnerships.
Saran joins Black Rock following his most recent role as National Director of Sales at The Quorum, where he led sales across the group’s multi-city portfolio. His career has included associations with Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and IHG, alongside experience with independent and emerging hospitality businesses. Black Rock has appointed him to strengthen its group-wide sales strategy and develop a more structured commercial framework as its portfolio grows.
The leadership addition supports Black Rock Hotels & Resorts ’s growth trajectory, reflecting activity in hotel appointments.
To Lead Group Sales Strategy
In his new role, Saran will spearhead sales strategy and commercial development across Black Rock Hotels & Resorts. His responsibilities include strengthening regional sales offices, developing key feeder markets, driving account acquisition and establishing scalable sales processes across the portfolio.
The role also places emphasis on improving coordination between regional and property-level sales teams. As Black Rock expands its portfolio, Saran will work on creating greater consistency in sales processes while supporting business development across markets.
His experience across multi-property sales, MICE, destination weddings and strategic partnerships aligns with the group’s focus on expanding its commercial reach across different hospitality segments.
Brings More Than 26 Years of Hospitality Experience
Saran brings more than 26 years of hospitality experience, with his career covering sales, marketing, commercial development and business growth. His professional background includes leading hospitality companies such as Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and IHG.
His experience has included business development, pre-opening assignments, multi-property sales, key account management, MICE and wedding business, as well as strategic partnerships. These areas have given him exposure to both property-level and broader commercial functions within the hotel industry.
Before joining Black Rock, Saran served as National Director of Sales at The Quorum. In that position, he was responsible for sales across the company’s multi-city portfolio, adding to his experience in managing commercial activity across multiple destinations.
Experience Across Leading Hospitality Brands
Earlier in his career, Saran held sales and commercial roles across established hospitality brands and independent businesses. His professional association with Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and IHG forms a substantial part of his hospitality background, complemented by experience with emerging hospitality companies.
His career has developed around relationship-led sales supported by structured processes and measurable performance. His areas of expertise include developing market relationships, managing key accounts, building business pipelines and creating partnerships that support hotel revenue and commercial objectives.
Saran also holds a Master’s degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, adding a formal hospitality management qualification to his extensive industry experience.
Strengthening Regional and Property Sales
A key part of Saran’s mandate will be to strengthen Black Rock’s regional sales structure while developing feeder markets for its expanding portfolio. He will also focus on account acquisition and on creating processes that can be implemented consistently across the group’s hotels and resorts.
The company has been building its commercial team alongside its portfolio expansion. Recent appointments include Pradnya Angane as Associate Director, Sales and Ajay Sabharwal as Senior Sales Manager, reflecting a broader focus on developing sales capabilities across markets.
For Saran, the new position combines group-level commercial leadership with the opportunity to build sales teams and strengthen relationships across key markets.
Leadership Welcomes the Appointment
Commenting on the appointment, Anshul Bhargava, Founder, Black Rock Hotels & Resorts, said,
“As our portfolio grows, building a strong commercial leadership structure is critical. Nilay brings extensive experience, strong market relationships and a process-led approach to sales that will be valuable as we expand into new markets.”
The appointment reflects Black Rock’s focus on establishing a senior commercial structure as it scales its hospitality portfolio. The company’s current portfolio includes properties such as Pushkara Resort and Spa, Ananta Resorts & Spa Jaipur, Aamaghati Wildlife Resort.
Building a Scalable Commercial Framework
Saran said his new role will focus on strengthening the company’s sales network and developing strategic market relationships.
“Black Rock is at an exciting stage of its journey. I look forward to strengthening our sales network, deepening key market relationships and building a commercial framework that can support the company’s growing portfolio.”
His appointment brings extensive sales and commercial experience into Black Rock’s senior leadership structure. As the company develops its portfolio across larger-format hotels and resorts, destination weddings, MICE and leisure business, Saran’s mandate will centre on building sales capabilities that can support this expansion.
