Vikram Bakshi
Trustee, NRAI
Chairman, Ascot Hotels & Resorts; Director, Connaught Plaza Restaurants.
He is a recognized business leader, spearheading diverse businesses in real estate, hospitality & retail and a pioneer who led the QSR & retail revolution in India.
As the JV partner and MD of Connaught Plaza, he established McDonald’s as the leading consumer brand and industry leader in the QSR sector, orienting a multinational giant to be sensitive to Indian cultural nuances when the concept of ‘Glocal’ (Global Company with Local Focus) was in its infancy in India.
Ascot is a fast growing hospitality and retail group, launched in 1995. It is developing service apartments and corporate clubs across India. ‘Savoy Suites’ with 44 keys with all the modern amenities and facilities is already successfully running at Noida, and the new projects are now operational in Greater Noida (58 keys) and Manesar (108 keys), with future projects in the pipeline in various locations spread across North India. Savoy Greens on Highways are other successful project operational at Karnal on NH1, Jabli at NH 21 which houses and runs a successful food court, retail and a motel.
Nominated as the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the Retail Category by The Economic Times for two years (2004 & 2005) in succession, Vikram’s contribution to the industry has been increasingly recognized in the country.
- Recognized as ‘The Most Admired Food Professional of the Year’ at The Golden Spoon Awards 2008: The Images Award for Excellence in food retailing.
- Won the prestigious CII National Food Safety Award for significant achievement in Food Safety Systems in 2010.
- Admitted as the only restaurateur in the ‘Hall of Fame’ by the FHRAI in 2010.
- President, NRAI (2006-2008).
- Chairman, International Hospitality Fair, CII (2010).
- Chairman, sub-committee on Tourism (Northern Region), CII (2004-2006).
- Chairman, CII National Committee on Retailing (2002-2004).
- Chairman, CII Delhi State Council (2003-2004).
- Chairman, CII Northern Region Committee on Retailing (2001-2002)
- VP, HRANI (2002-2003)
- Council member, CII Northern Region & National Council and member, FHRAI and FICCI
He currently resides in New Delhi with his wife Madhurima Bakshi and three daughters, who are all actively involved in both the companies.