Nikhil Manchharam is a 25-year veteran of the industry. Nikhil developed his early career in the field of management consulting involved with strategic planning and feasibility, valuation, advisory, asset management and investment initiatives for various institutional / investment companies and hotel management related companies. The firms associated with are Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels both in Sydney and London and HVS International in London and Singapore.

Nikhil later developed into the industry through both private equity and hotel management company services. He joined Starwood Lodging Trust where he became involved in both Starwood Capital and Starwood Hotels & Resorts based in the Asia Pacific HQ in Singapore supporting the company in the region. He also became involved in the acquisition of Le Meridien and subsequently in the integration of Starwood / Le Meridien. With the success of the integration, Nikhil provided leadership support to set up its presence in India and South Asia and subsequently, leading the asset management and investments in Asia Pacific.

Nikhil’s unconventional approach to the traditional industry approach has enabled him to become involved in leading through innovation with technology and unique accommodation concepts. He is now the Managing Director of YOTEL based in Singapore to grow the portfolio through strategic partnerships and arrangements. He is also involved as a mentor with various travel tech platforms and participating member of the Singapore Tourism Board Accelerator Program. Nikhil holds an MBA specializing in Hospitality Management from IMHI – Institut de Management Hotelier Internationale (a joint Cornell-Essec program), Paris, and with B.Sc. from the University of Rochester / Simon School of Business.