OYO, India’s largest hospitality company, has appointed Rakesh Prusti as its General Counsel.

Rakesh joins OYO from Max Healthcare, where he was working as Director – Legal, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs.

Rakesh has spent over 22 years as in-house counsel with companies from diverse sectors including French retail giant – Carrefour, NIIT Technologies, Global Vantedge (now Aegis), Cottage Industries Exposition.

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 OYO’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.”

At OYO, 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.