Telling It Like It Is

Fitting in is over-rated. Anshu Sarin, CEO of Keys Hotels, would much rather break down barriers while running the show, despite the odds

- VINITA BHATIA

Rocky Road is a creamy smooth ice cream with nutty almonds and chewy marshmallows. And that is how Anshu Sarin, CEO of Keys Hotels, sums up her 28-year-long career. For a good reason too. Life has thrown several curveballs at her akin to the almonds, but she pole-vaulted over them with sheer grit landing confidently on the marshmallows, and found her sweet spot in the toughest situations.

In short, give Anshu a hurdle, and she will find an interesting way to leap over it. This agility comes naturally to the self-confessed fitness junkie who had injured her knee twice over while working out recently, but it still could not keep her down! This resilience is what defines her personality and life.

14 years after she graduated from IHM Delhi, she decided to pursue a Post Graduate Executive Management Program at SP Jain Institute of Management in 2012. She did this while balancing her role as VP-Commercial at Kingfisher Airlines - a position she moved up to after joining Kingfisher Holidays in 2007 as GMGuest Loyalty.

"I never thought I would go back to school, but that is exactly what I did," Anshu said. "Fortunately, I was guided by a steadfast, sharp, in-your-face mentor, for which I am deeply grateful."

Last year, she decided to re-skill herself to deal with the rapid changes in the hospitality industry in the wake of the pandemic. Unfazed by the prospect of studying alongside younger students, she signed up for a Digital Transformation Program from Singapore Management University.

This urge for constant learning originates from her father, who has an insatiable ability to read and assess. Moreover, she believes that the only way to move forward is to keep moving.

"A company's future in an asset-light business depends on the asset owner's balance sheet. It requires deep and deliberate engagement ensuring positive cash flow, value creation for the owner and operator.”