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Background

Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, took up the position within his family’s business in 2009. In this role, Keshav has developed strategies for group-wide expansion, specifically spearheading the group’s operations, food and beverage, quality management, and marketing divisions.

An alumnus of St. Columbus School, New Delhi, Keshav graduated in Law and Business from the University of Warwick, UK. He earned a Master’s Degree in International Management from Kings College, London followed by an LLM Degree from School of African & Oriental Studies (SAOS), London.

Keshav then followed in the footsteps of his late father and founder of the group, Mr Lalit Suri. He stepped into the role of Executive Director determined to make The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group a global brand. With 12 hotels and resorts operating in India, in 2017, Keshav opened the group’s first international hotel, The LaLiT London.

Keshav has been instrumental in implementing a variety of initiatives and ideas across the group, particularly within the food and beverage division. He was responsible for the concept and launch of The LaLiT Food Truck Company in 2014, and has contributed to the creation of Baluchi, the hotel group’s brand, establishing it as a leading pan-Indian restaurant dining destination.

Keshav also launched nightclub ‘Kitty Su’, located within The LaLiT New Delhi, founded in 2011. It has been awarded ‘Best Night Club’ in Delhi by Times Food & Nightlife Awards, and has been listed as one of the top six clubs in the world by GQ India. Following its success, the brand has since expanded to Mumbai and Chandigah.

The LaLit Suri Hospitality Group has always worked as an equal opportunity workplace. The group champions a message of inclusivity and equality, and holds a strong voice as an advocate for the LGBTQIA community in India. This is also a key focus for The LaLiT London. Kitty Su was one of the first venues in Delhi to host LGBTQIA-friendly events, and has close ties with the annual New Delhi Pride, being the venue for the official ‘Pride Party’ for the last two years.

LGBTQIA involvement

In September 2017, The LaLiT hotels launched a #PureLove social campaign, to give people, in particular members of the Indian LGBTQI community, a chance to share their experiences and seek emotional support when needed. As part of the campaign, The LaLiT has strived to provide employment opportunities to the LGBTQIA community and to create an inclusive environment amongst corporate India. The #PureLove campaign is in tandem with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Tackling Discrimination against Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexuals, Transgender and Inter-Sex people: Standards of conduct for Business.

Keshav Suri has orchestrated various initiatives across The LaLiT brand opposing discrimination and supporting the LGBTQI community, from CU Next Thursday – India’s first inclusive night for LGBTQIA population, to popularising drag shows and hosting a PowerWalk with NGO – Make Love Not Scars – for acid attack survivors and personally funding transgender surgery.

In 2017, Keshav Suri filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Union of India, challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalised homosexuality. Suri's action joined fellow Indian celebrities, businesswoman Ayesha Kapur, Bharatnatyam dancer and recipient of 2014 Sangeet Natak Akademi award Navtej Singh Johar, well-known journalist Sunil Mehra, noted chef, author, restaurateur and TV personality Ritu Dalmia, and fellow hotelier, writer and historian Aman Nath who also filed a joint petition which was placed before a constitution bench for hearing. This eventually led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India in September 2018.

Awards and recognitions

2016 – Face of the Future Award by 3rd North India Travel Awards

July, 2017 – GQ The 50 Most Influential Young Indians' Award by GQ

October, 2017 – 2 5 of Delhi's Most Influential Entrepreneurs 2017 by ELITE Magazine

December, 2017 – Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion by HR Value Creator Awards 2017

January, 2018 – Man of Now 2018 by Hello Magazine

February, 2018 – DSSC Power Packers 2017

August, 2018 – Best in Hospitality by Times Men of the Year Kolkata 2018

September, 2018 – Forbes India Tycoons of Tomorrow by Facebook

September, 2018 – Agent of Social Change by GQ Men of the Year Awards

March, 2019 – Hindu Business Line by Change Maker Awards