Marriott International has appointed Jerome Briet as its chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa.
In his new role, Briet will oversee and drive the company’s growth through new-build, conversion, and franchise opportunities across new and established markets in the region.
Briet was previously the regional vice president, Mixed-use Development for the Middle East and Africa. He takes on his new role from Samir Baidas who served as the chief development officer and has been a pivotal part of the company’s Middle East and Africa development team for over 14 years. Baidas announced he would move on from his current role to focus on his family business, however will continue as a development consultant for Marriott International.
“Jerome is an experienced leader who is well-respected among our global development executives and ownership groups, and we are delighted to have him lead our development efforts in the region,” said Tony Capuano, executive vice president and global chief development officer, Marriott International.
“Jerome will be instrumental in driving our growth trajectory and extending our market leadership in the Middle East and Africa while supporting our overall global development vision.”
Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International added, “The Middle East and Africa is a dynamic region that continues to present great opportunities for us to grow and diversify our brand portfolio across new and established markets. Under Jerome’s leadership, we look forward to building on the positive momentum and results our team has achieved over the past years.”
Briet holds over 15 years of hospitality experience. He first joined Marriott International in 2012 and has since signed more than 6,000 rooms across the Middle East & Africa, including iconic properties such as the Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, Marriott Hotel & Resort Palm Jumeirah and The Ritz-Carlton properties in Ras Al Khaimah (Al Wadi and Al Hamra).
Prior to joining Marriott, Briet worked with Jones Lang LaSalle in their Paris and Dubai offices, where he handled capital markets transactions in the MENA region. He also worked with Millennium & Copthorne, where he oversaw Development & Acquisitions for the Middle East, Africa and India.
Briet holds an MBA in International Hospitality and Real Estate Management from the IMHI ESSEC Business School in Paris, France.
Marriott currently operates 250 properties across the Middle East and Africa with a development pipeline of over 110 new properties scheduled to open in the next five years.
