SHAIJU MOHAN
CEO
Mr. Shaiju Mohan is a prominent leader in the global hospitality industry with over 23 years of experience. He has excelled in various roles, including Chief Operating Officer (COO), Hospitality Hotel Projects Director, and Hotel Procurement Director. Mr. Mohan’s career showcases his skills in managing multi-million-dollar projects, hotel openings, and consultancy for luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.
Throughout his career, Mr. Mohan has achieved significant milestones. As a COO, he has driven operational success and improved guest experiences. In his role as Hospitality Hotel Projects Director, he has managed large hospitality projects, ensuring they meet industry standards. He specializes in pre-opening and post-opening phases, planning and training staff to prepare hotels for successful launches. Additionally, he oversees all aspects of turnkey projects, managing procurement for essential hotel equipment and supplies.
Mr. Mohan is well-regarded as a consultant, advising on operational performance and profitability. His expertise spans hotel operations, team management, and client relationship management, making him a respected figure in hotel management.
AJITH RAMA VARMA
Founder & CEO
With 30 years of combined experience in food service equipment and hotel & restaurant operations, Ajith Rama Varma is the driving force behind I-KAT. Under his leadership, the company has successfully delivered 1,000+ hospitality projects across diverse markets.
Headquartered in the UAE and with offices in India, and Mauritius, I-KAT operates with a strong infrastructure, including two state-of-theart factories in the UAE and India. Ajith oversees the design, sales, and project execution functions, ensuring every solution meets the highest industry standards.
Backed by a team of seasoned professionals, he continues to push the boundaries of hospitality solutions, combining innovation, efficiency, and global expertise to redefine the industry.
AVINASH MOHAN
Managing Partner and CEO
Avinash Mohan emerges as a luminary in the food and beverage domain, infusing the sector with his strategic foresight and operational excellence. Spanning over 28 years in luxury hospitality, Avinash has transitioned through pivotal roles such as “Executive Chef”, “Director of Culinary”, and “Cluster Director Food and Beverage at elite 5 star Hotels including Address Hotels and Resorts in Middle east, Four Seasons Hotels in Europe, Fairmont Hotels in African continent, Taj and Oberoi Hotels in India.The most significant being heading F&B Operations for EXPO2020 . His academic foundation from IHM Pusa New Delhi, supplemented by specialized training teams at the Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development, has honed his expertise in Hotels and F&B management.
His career is distinguished not only by Food and Beverage leadership but also by his strategic oversight in conceptualizing and managing multiple award-winning ventures under The Hideout Restaurant Management Group, including innovative concepts like Hideout, Cochin Harbour, and Rasam by Avinash Mohan, Hidden Health , Frsh n Fab Biryani . Furthermore, his establishment of The Elevate Global Hospitality showcases his adeptness at providing turnkey solutions for hospitality projects.
SHOBHA MAHALANOBIS
Co-Founder
Shobha Mahalanobis is a passionate chef by profession with experience in the hospitality industry, spanning roles from guest relations and procurement to delivering exquisite culinary experiences. Her journey in the hospitality sector began at the prestigious ITC Grand Maratha in India, where she served as the Guest Relations Head, ensuring unparalleled guest experiences and operational excellence.
Shobha further honed her culinary skills as a Pastry Chef at a renowned five-star hotel in Dubai, where she crafted delightful confections that left lasting impressions on guests. Her deep understanding of the hospitality industry’s operational intricacies and commitment to excellence have been the cornerstone of her career.
As the Co-Founder and Director of Procurement and Materials Management at DeltaGreen Global FZ-LLC, Shobha plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s sustainability initiatives. She oversees vendor management, procurement processes, and supply chain operations, ensuring that DeltaGreen delivers top-quality sustainable solutions to its clients across the Middle East, CIS regions, and beyond.
