Art collector and design aficionado Priya Paul is Chairperson of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels in India.

Priya Paul started her career under her father, the Late Surrendra Paul, as the Marketing Manager of The Park in New Delhi. A prominent business woman and one of the most revered personalities in the hospitality industry; Priya Paul is the creative powerhouse behind country's leading collection of contemporary luxury boutique hotels – The Park. She has worked tirelessly towards building a brand that is synonymous with her unique creative energy and is well recognized for her leadership qualities.

Priya Paul is a founding member of the World Travel and Tourism Council – India Initiative and has been appointed as the Chairperson for the year 2013. She is also a Trustee of the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) and Chairperson, South Asia Women’s Fund and a member of Harvard Business Schools’ India Advisory Board. She is also an Executive Committee Member and Ex-President of the Hotel Association of India.

Under her direction, The Park Hotels have emerged as stylish, edgy, fun and warm – a true reflection of her personality and her passion for modern art and design.

Priya Paul was recently honored as a forbearer of the contemporary travel industry alongside Ian Schrager, Nick Jones and others at the LE Miami 2015, the world’s first invitation-only travel tradeshow to reflect the shift in luxury and contemporary travel.

Priya Paul has also been conferred with the insignia of Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite (National Order of Merit) in 2014 for her significant contribution to strengthening links between India and France. She has been awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, for her services to Trade & Industry by the President of India.

She has also received the FHRAI (Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India) Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2000, was recognized by Forbes online as one of India’s 100 most powerful business women in 2006, and took home the Zee Astitva Award in the Business category in 2008. She has also been awarded the ‘Spa Personality of the Year’ for the year 2009-10 by Asiaspa India, India Today Woman in Business Award and PHD Chamber-Distinguished Women Entrepreneur Award for 2009-2010 and has been inducted into the FHRAI Hall of Fame in 2010.

Priya Paul’s design sensibilities are well-acknowledged in the industry. To reaffirm the same, she was awarded for “Excellence in Design Innovation 2011” by Condé Nast Traveller India, at a glittering event in New Delhi. This honor was for seamlessly combining her passion for boutique hotels and her love of contemporary art and high-function design. Also, “Designomist 2011” at VGC Designomics 2011 was bestowed to Ms. Paul for creating unique experiences for the guests across the world with a visual feast of design aesthetics and originality in each of the exquisitely designed boutique hotels.

Priya Paul has been working in this industry for 25 years and it has been a journey to create something different, out of the ordinary and something that is inexplicable. She was awarded the Aatithya Ratna Award by Hotel Investment Forum India, 2011. This award was established by HIFI to honor an individual who exemplifies the extraordinary spirit of hospitality. To commemorate her contribution to the hotel industry for last 25 years, ‘Hall of Fame 2011’ was bestowed to her by Hotelier India. In 2012, Fortune India listed Priya Paul among the 50 powerful business women in India for the second consecutive year.

Priya Paul has a BA in Economics from Wellesley College. She also completed the Owner President Management Program at Harvard Business School.