ISH expands Executive Education portfolio with Cinnamon Hotels in Sri Lanka and the Maldives

• Six-month leadership development program launched to groom Cinnamon’s next generation of General Managers

Gurugram, June 16th , 2025: The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) has launched an intensive leadership development program in collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The initiative is part of a six-month engagement following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) earlier this year.

The first cohort of 15 senior managers from Cinnamon Hotels completed a week-long bootcamp at the ISH campus in Gurugram, followed by a week-long orientation across Leela Palace properties in New Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Bengaluru. The bespoke program is designed to groom high-potential talent for General Manager roles as Cinnamon scales its brand and enters the luxury segment.

Faculty from academia and industry delivered core modules on Finance, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and People Leadership. The orientation at Leela’s flagship luxury hotels gave participants both guest and operational exposure, immersing them in delivering luxury experiences from front to back.

This collaboration falls under ISH Business Solutions, the institution’s executive education vertical focused on delivering capability-building interventions for the hospitality and service sectors. Built on ISH’s academic foundation and global affiliations with Sommet Education, the vertical represents ISH’s deep and sustained engagement with the industry in India and offshore markets.

“The need to build a strong pipeline of future General Managers remains a strategic priority across the global hospitality sector. Future-ready brands like Cinnamon Hotels recognise the value of investing in human capital as they pursue rapid regional growth. ISH is delighted to be their knowledge partners to support the continued learning of their managers,” said Dilip Puri, Founder and Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality.

As the hospitality sector continues its transformation, ISH remains focused on shaping future-ready talent through programs that continuously align academia and business. The collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels brings this vision to life at a time when leadership development has become a clear business priority.

“This initiative is designed to immerse our high-potential talent in transformative, real-world experiences that broaden their global outlook and enhance their leadership capabilities,” said Ishara Naufal, Senior Vice President – Human Resources, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. “By investing in hands-on, future-focused development, we are not only strengthening our leadership pipeline but also reinforcing our commitment to positioning Cinnamon as a globally competitive hospitality brand.”

About Indian School of Hospitality

The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) is a pioneering higher education institution in India shaping hospitality, culinary and service-sector education in India. Built with

industry foresight and academic rigour, ISH offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education programs that develop talent ready to lead with purpose and integrity.

Based in Gurugram (Delhi NCR), ISH is part of Sommet Education’s global network, with 18 campuses across eight countries. Its hospitality management programs are offered in alliance with Les Roches, one of the world’s top hospitality schools. Its culinary programs are offered through École Ducasse India, the official India campus of the globally renowned École Ducasse network. ISH represents a way of life: anchored in excellence, respect, shared ambition and a global approach to higher education. Every experience is designed to shape a generation of leaders who build, serve, and grow with intent.

About Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a leading hospitality brand in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, renowned for its distinctive experiences, contemporary design, and warm hospitality. The brand is committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering world-class guest experiences across its portfolio of city and resort properties.