VARUN SARAF

Chief Executive Officer

VARUN SARAF

Chief Executive Officer

Varun Saraf is a dynamic leader in hotel development and asset management, with a focus on operations of the hospitality portfolio. Armed with majors in Economics, Political Science and Philosophy from Tufts University, he returned to India in 2006 to embark on a transformative journey within the family business. His visionary outlook paved the way for the inception of Chartered Hotels with a mission to establish hotels in India’s tier II cities through greenfield expansion. Now a subsidiary of Juniper Hotels, Chartered Hotels boasts flourishing properties in Hampi, Raipur and Lucknow collectively offering 450 rooms under various Hyatt brands. Today, with over 17 years’ experience at the helm of the project and asset management verticals at Chartered Hotels and Juniper Hotels, Varun holds the reins of these pivotal functions spearheading operations for greater efficiency and profitability along with championing renovations and refurbishments.

Varun’s career narrative encapsulates a spirit of innovation, adaptability and a steadfast commitment to effecting positive change across diverse industries. His dynamic persona and willingness to push boundaries have firmly positioned him as a trailblazer, serving as an inspiration to others to embrace an adventurous and enterprising approach to life. Varun’s interests extend beyond traditional boundaries into the realm of environmental revitalization and sustainability with notable ventures in the renewable energy sector. His hydro power platform in Nepal, with an ambitious target of 500MW, has already achieved 23.5MW in operations while construction is underway for an additional 100MW.

Since 2018, Varun has also undertaken the development of two hotel schools in Bodhgaya, India and in Nepal. These initiatives are closely aligned with his mission to empower the youth by providing them access to training and employment opportunities in the hotel and restaurant industry. Collaborating with Agragami India and the EHL Smile Association, Varun has led the establishment of hospitality training centers that not only impart essential skills but also contribute to poverty reduction programs in surrounding villages. The Bodhgaya Hotel School serves as a social venture, contributing 100% of its commercial profits to sustaining health and education initiatives in impoverished communities.