New Delhi: OYO, South Asia’s largest hotel chain, has appointed Rakesh Prusti as its General Counsel. The appointment comes at a key point in the company’s journey into the next level of growth into the international market and expansion with a much larger tapestry of its service offerings.
Rakesh joins OYO following an outstanding stint at Max Healthcare as Director – Legal, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs, where he was instrumental in several inorganic initiatives, efficient management and creating awareness on managing medico-legal issues, strengthening corporate governance and compliance system and advocacy functions for the company.
A seasoned professional, Rakesh has spent over 22 years in reputed companies from diverse sectors including French retail giant – Carrefour, NIIT Technologies, Global Vantedge (now Aegis), Cottage Industries Exposition which has given him both macro and micro view of legal and corporate governance strategies in different business environments.
Speaking on the appointment, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO – OYO, said: “We are pleased to welcome Rakesh partnering with us for this important role as the General Counsel. We have witnessed tremendous growth during the past years which has helped OYO in emerging as South Asia’s largest hotel chain with over 5500 exclusive hotels. Rakesh’s strong legal, corporate governance acumen coupled with high energy and deep understanding of businesses in both startup and highly structured environment will help us meet and advance in our objectives. I also look forward to his invaluable leadership in making OYO a more diverse and inclusive workplace.”
Coming on board the OYO team, Rakesh Prusti, General Counsel – OYO, elaborated “Through its innovative business model, OYO under the dynamic leadership of Ritesh has now created history in the Indian hospitality industry. I look forward to play a bigger role with the company’s exceptionally talented and passionate team and partnering in execution of several high stake projects and leading various corporate governance initiatives and best practices that will be implemented in the near future and contributing strongly in this interesting journey of growth and scale and making it most loved hospitality brand in the affordable and quality living space worldwide.”
As a key member of the leadership team at the largest hotel chain, Rakesh will work closely in all strategic and inorganic initiatives and shall lead and manage contract management, disputes resolution, litigations, setting up risk management and compliance framework, international legal strategy, and policy advocacy among other responsibilities.
