Bernard Martyris has over 40 years of experience in handling human resources and over two decades in the hospitality industry. Bernard graduated from Xavier Labour Relations Institute in 1976 since which time he has held senior management positions at the Oberoi Group and The Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (was part of the Corporate Executive Committee in both companies), served on the board of Tata Coffee as an independent director in 2003, was invited to be a member of the Global HR Council of the Conference Board, USA in 1998 and was Chairman of the HR Committee of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce between 2007 and 2009. He was part of the Corporate Executive Committee (top management) of both the Oberoi Group and the Taj Group.

Bernard has been responsible for the HR function of Kuoni India and VFS Group since 2004. Before he was appointed as Chief Culture Officer, he was Chief of Human Resources of VFS Global, responsible for VFS Global’s global HR function and focusing on HR strategy, leadership development, and talent and performance management. Concurrent to his VFS Global role Bernard headed the HR function for the Switzerland-based Kuoni Group. As VFS Global’s Chief Culture Officer, Bernard will be responsible for the further enhancement and strengthening of the organisation’s culture and ingraining corporate values across the organisation. He will also be responsible for coaching and mentoring top management and be responsible for the company’s Education Services business.

Bernard Martyris

Chief Culture Officer

Nirbhik Goel is the Chief Human Resources Officer at VFS Global, responsible for the overall HR function of the organisation, including Learning and Development and HRSSC, and the overall Corporate Security, Travel and Administration Services functions.

Nirbhik joined VFS Global on 01 July 2021, bringing with him close to three decades of rich career experience comprising 16 years of leading the HR function globally for renowned service sector companies, including Hospitality (hotels) and Financial Services. He has strong expertise in several key HR functional areas such as Talent Management, Succession Planning, Learning and Development, Performance Management, and Coaching and Mentoring. Nirbhik has led large HR teams across multiple locations and been responsible for managing substantial HR budgets.

Prior to joining VFS Global, Nirbhik served as the Executive Vice President and CHRO at The Oberoi Group of Hotels. Other key senior positions held by Nirbhik include Managing Director and Global Strategic HR Business Partner for the CIO and Global Head of Operations at AIG based in the headquarters at New York; Managing Director and Head of HR-India at Barclays; and Vice President and Divisional Head of Human Resources for South West Asia at Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Nirbhik Goel

Chief Human Resources Officer

Amit Saincher is the Head of VFS Global Academy, responsible for leading the Academy’s vision of developing industry-ready talent for the travel and hospitality sectors. He oversees the strategic direction, curriculum design, and experiential learning initiatives, ensuring that VFS Global Academy delivers world-class training aligned with industry standards.

Amit brings over 25 years of leadership experience spanning client relations, strategic planning, business development, revenue delivery, process improvement, and sales & marketing. Prior to joining VFS Global Academy, Amit held senior positions at leading organizations, including The Walt Disney Company India, where he served as Vice President and Head of Business Operations – Mashal Sports, Brand Experience & Events, and Corporate Operations, Real Estate. He also served as Deputy Vice President and General Manager at The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts.

A dynamic and hands-on leader, Amit has a proven track record of building high-performing teams and driving operational excellence. His expertise in innovation-driven strategies, business transformation, and value creation has contributed to improved top-line revenues and enhanced bottom-line margins across organizations. Known for his strong work ethic, strategic mindset, and commitment to excellence, Amit plays a key role in strengthening VFS Global Academy’s position as a premier training provider for the industry.

Amit Saincher

Head – VFS Global Academy

Dr. Ruchita Verma is a Doctorate in Management with an MBA in Administration & Tourism Management. She also holds a PG in Hotel Administration and is an alumnus of the prestigious IHM, Mumbai. With 32 years of academic experience, Dr. Verma has held several leadership roles, including Dean of VFS Global Academy, and Dean of NMIMS School of Hospitality Management. She has also served as the Campus Director at Pearl Academy, Mumbai, and led multiple hospitality and fashion schools for ITM Group of Institutions as a Group Director.

Dr. Verma is passionate about driving operational excellence, streamlining processes, and championing academic reforms. She has successfully enhanced curricula, set up institutional infrastructure, and implemented key policy changes. Well-versed in regulatory requirements, she has managed accreditation processes and worked closely with government bodies like AICTE and Mumbai University.

A key member of the University of Mumbai’s Hospitality Curriculum Committee, Dr. Verma played a pivotal role in securing validations and facilitating collaborations with renowned global universities across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and France. As a researcher, she has contributed numerous papers, organised conferences, and led workshops, further solidifying her expertise in the field.

Dr. Ruchita Verma

Dean – VFS Global Academy