Alumni Series #15

Meet AanandaSudan N, CEO – Hotel Grand Palais

An engineer by training and a builder by instinct, AanandaSudan N. completed his Mechanical Engineering from Anna University in 2006 and his PGPM from Great Lakes Institute of Management in 2009. What began as an engineer’s fascination with mechanisms soon evolved into a lifelong passion for designing systems, mechanical or organisational, that work with precision, clarity, and purpose.

His professional journey began in the automotive and engineering ecosystem, with leadership roles at TVS, Rane Group, Wipro, and Ather Energy. Across these assignments, AanandaSudan earned a reputation for being meticulous, hands-on, and deeply people-oriented, a leader who combined technical depth with operational excellence. His ability to articulate clear goals, empower teams, and execute with discipline made him a natural fit for roles that demanded both strategy and action

The PGPM at Great Lakes marked a defining turning point. Immersed in an environment of diverse perspectives and real-world challenges, Aanand discovered how engineering precision could align with managerial decision-making. The program instilled in him clarity, collaboration, and strategic foresight, qualities that would later guide his entrepreneurial and leadership ventures.

In 2013, he took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship, founding an automotive manufacturing company that produced components for transmission systems. Over the next twelve years, he grew it steadily and sustainably to a turnover exceeding ?300 million, a testament to his discipline, innovation, and relentless drive for excellence. The company’s eventual acquisition by a large corporation wasn’t just a business milestone but a deeply fulfilling chapter of learning, resilience, and growth.

Driven by his curiosity to explore new domains, Aanand next ventured into hospitality, a world far removed from his manufacturing roots. His vision took form as Hotel Grand Palais, a boutique property in Bengaluru inspired by French architecture and Pondicherry’s timeless charm.

Beyond business, Aanand leads a life rich with exploration and expression. A fitness enthusiast and passionate traveller, he finds balance in movement and inspiration in the cultures he experiences. In recent years, he has also stepped into creative spaces, from fashion and dance to lifestyle events, finding joy in connecting with people, ideas, and art.

Known among peers for his warmth, curiosity, and knack for fixing things — mechanical or otherwise, Aanand continues to build with purpose, wherever he goes.

His journey is a reminder that the essence of leadership lies in curiosity, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence in everything one undertakes.