Amy McPherson to retire as Marriott group president of Europe

Marriott International, has announced that Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Europe, which encompasses the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe, will retire from the position effective the end of March 2019.  

McPherson, who has been with the company for 32 years, is leaving to pursue in order to nurture a start-up business in the UK, of which she is a principal investor, and to spend more time with her family in the United States.

McPherson joined Marriott in 1986 and progressed through a succession of key positions that included VP of finance and business development, senior VP of business transformation and integration, and senior VP of revenue management.

This led to her promotion to executive VP of global sales and marketing, with responsibility for the company’s global and field sales, marketing, Marriott Rewards, revenue management, e-commerce, worldwide reservation sales and customer care, and sales channel strategy and analysis. In 2010, McPherson was promoted to her current role leading Marriott’s business in Europe.

During her almost 10-year tenure she helped to more than double the size of the business, launching the AC and Moxy brands globally, and completing the successful integration of SPG associates and hotels in Europe.

Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, said: “It’s hard to imagine life at Marriott without one of its most accomplished, home-grown leaders. Amy leaves an impressive track record of accomplishment.

“Under her leadership, Marriott has moved from number 10 in total rooms distribution in Europe to number two today – an achievement made all the more impactful because it happened against the backdrop of some of the most complicated economic and geopolitical times in Europe’s history.

“Amy has been a remarkable leader for Marriott in Europe – an incredible steward of our culture, the driving force behind our growth and innovation and a consummate professional. She will be missed.”

McPherson will remain with the company through the first quarter of 2019 helping with the transition. The company said it anticipates announcing McPherson’s successor shortly.