With close to two decades of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry, Vilas Pawar is currently leading the Managed and Franchise business division at the Lemon Tree Hotels from strength to strength. A hotel management graduate of IHM, Mumbai, Vilas has worked for over 35 years with marquee brands including Taj Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Radisson Hotels, Eden Park Hotels, TGI Fridays and Lemon Tree hotels. Vilas introduced TGI Fridays to India as the restaurant chain’s President and CEO for the India region. Before joining Lemon Tree hotels in 2022, Vilas- as Director and Chief Executive Officer, was responsible for establishing the operations and franchise business for Choice Hotels International in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Currently, the Chief Executive Officer of Managed and Franchise Division, Lemon Tree Hotels, he is ensuring the group’s success through the length and the breadth of the country. A man with a keen eye for market trends and a deep under- standing of the hospitality landscape, Vilas believes that to be a successful leader, one needs to be open to learning. “Times are changing, styles of management are changing. So, one needs to keep adapting. A leader needs to be a people’s person and listen. Listen to your customers, both internal and external. Our employ- ees are our internal customers, so we have to listen to them and then cater to the needs of external customers as well”, says Vilas.