Oyo parent Prism announces leadership realignment for global growth

Ankit Tandon elevated as COO and CEO-Europe; leadership changes align with PRISM's IPO plans and premiumisation strategy across global markets

PRISM, Oyo’s parent company, on Friday announced realignment for its top leadership positions to boost the company’s global growth across its largest markets and further support its premiumisation factor, as per its release.

 

The global travel-tech company has elevated Ankit Tandon as its chief operating officer (COO), PRISM, and chief executive officer (CEO), Europe. As its CEO, Tandon currently looks after Oyo Vacation Homes, the company’s vacation rental firm in Europe. He had graduated from IIT Madras in 2003 and worked in McKinsey and Company before being a part of PRISM for over 10 years, the release noted.

 

The company did not mention the exact timeline of these changes. Through the new position, Tandon will oversee business performance and operations for PRISM worldwide, including its brands such as Belvilla, DanCenter, Sunday Hotels, and others. Apart from that, he will manage the company’s United States market, which has G6 Hospitality. 

 

On the other hand, Gautam Swaroop, who had led PRISM International business across the US, UK, LatAm, Workspaces, and Traum Ferienwohnungen for the past five years, has moved on to pursue other technology-led ventures, the release said.

 

“Gautam has been a close partner over the last five years, and I have truly enjoyed building our international businesses with him. I am deeply grateful for his leadership in shaping OYO USA, G6, Traum, and our PropTech initiatives,” said Ritesh Agarwal, founder and group CEO in a statement. “Gautam will continue to advise me and the PRISM leadership team, and I wish him the very best in his next chapter. I am equally excited to see Ankit, Varun, Shreerang, and Shirish take on expanded roles and help us accelerate global growth with sharper execution and an even stronger focus on customers.”

 

These changes come at a time when the company is said to be preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) and positioning itself as a premium stay company. In line with premiumisation, the company recently rebranded its parent company, Oravel Stays, to PRISM.

 

“He (Tandon) will also continue to lead PRISM’s Vacation Homes business, including recent additions such as CheckMyGuest (France) and MadeComfy (Australia),” the release stated.

 

Meanwhile, Puneet Yadav, UK Country Head, will report to Tandon, while Sonal Sinha, CEO, G6 Hospitality, based in Dallas, will work closely with Tandon and Agarwal. Varun Jain, who is currently COO for the Indian business, will take over as the COO for the Asian region. He will also be looking after its SEAME (Southeast Asia and the Middle East) business while also managing PRISM’s listings business, Traum Ferienwohnungen, in Germany.

 

Shreerang Godbole will continue as chief service officer for PRISM, along with leading operations in DanCenter, a vacation rental brand and overseeing the integration and growth of MadeComfy, Australia, the release stated. 

   

For Europe Homes and Hotels, a part of PRISM, Shirish Damani has been named to lead it as the COO, Europe Homes & Hotels (PRISM).  He will be working closely with Tandon, driving supply, revenue, and margin across Belvilla, DanCenter, CheckMyGuest, Studio Prestige, and HelpMyGuest, while continuing to lead global mergers and acquisitions.