Mr. Rao has over 25 years' experience with Shangri-La and has held a number of senior management positions.
Prior to being named acting president, he had served as Shangri-La's chief financial officer since 1997. He joined Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in 1988 as group financial controller. He also serves as an executive director of the holding company, Shangri-La Asia Limited.
Before joining the Shangri-La group, he spent 17 years, including 12 years as partner, at a leading chartered accountancy practice in Mumbai, India, responsible for the management consultancy practice of the firm. He is a graduate in commerce from the University of Mumbai and a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.