Marriott International names new CEO and president

Marriott International has announced that Anthony Capuano has been appointed to the role of CEO and that Stephanie Linnartz has been appointed to the role of president, both with immediate effect. Capuano’s and Linnartz appointments follow the death of Marriott’s former president and CEO Arne Sorenson on February 15, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Capuano was group president, global development, design and operations services. In this role, he was responsible for leading global development and design efforts and overseeing the company’s Global Operations discipline. During his tenure leading global development, the company grew its footprint from just over 3,200 properties in early 2009 to over 7,600 properties by year-end 2020. Capuano said: “I am honored to be appointed to take the helm of Marriott, but it is a bittersweet moment. Arne was a mentor, a champion and a friend to each member of his close-knit leadership team. It is because of Arne’s efforts that we are prepared to move forward with this transition.” As president, Linnartz will be responsible for developing and executing “all aspects” of the company’s global consumer strategy, including brand, marketing, sales, revenue management, customer engagement, digital, information technology, emerging businesses and loyalty strategies. In addition, she will oversee Marriott’s global development organisation, which is responsible for the strategic growth of the company’s 30 lodging brands, as well as the global design and operations services functions. Linnartz said: “The best way we can honor Arne’s memory is to continue to move the company forward. It is my privilege to take on the role of President and to work with Tony and the rest of the executive team to ensure a seamless transition and to successfully execute our strategy.” In 2019, under her leadership, the company combined the Marriott and Starwood loyalty programs to create Marriott Bonvoy, which currently has more than 147 million global members. J.W. Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board, Marriott International, said: “Tony has played a critical role in Marriott’s growth over the last decade. He will be a terrific leader as we continue to advance our growth strategy while also navigating the market dynamics of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Together with Stephanie in the role of president, and the rest of our exceptional leadership team, Marriott could not be in better hands.”