Marriott appoints new EMEA president

Marriott International has appointed Satya Anand president of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, replacing Liam Brown, who has been appointed group president of the hotel chain’s US and Canada business.

Anand was most recently the company’s chief operations officer of luxury and Southern Europe and global design for EMEA.

He will spearhead Marriott’s recovery across the region, driving the roll-out of a range of initiatives and campaigns designed to reinvigorate the hospitality industry, from the deployment of digital technology such as mobile key, mobile check-in and mobile chat, to new offerings as part of its Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme.

Craig Smith, group president of international, Marriott International, said: “I am delighted that Satya has taken on this role to lead our business across Europe, Middle East and Africa at such a fundamental time for the hospitality industry. As a 32-year Marriott veteran, Satya has a remarkable knowledge of the industry and our business, as well as outstanding relationships with associates, guests, owners and franchisees. His ability to engage and inspire will serve him well as he takes on this important position.”

Originally from India, Anand joined Marriott in 1988 as a night auditor at the Vienna Marriott hotel. He went on to hold several leadership positions at Marriott, including area vice-president roles in Western and Central Europe, and chief financial officer for Europe. He oversaw the multimillion-dollar renovation of the Ritz-Carlton Berlin, the opening of the St Regis Venice and the latest addition to W Hotels & Resorts, W Ibiza.

Anand holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bangalore MES College of Commerce. In 1988, he completed his diploma in hotel and tourism management at the International College of Tourism and Management in Semmering, Austria. He is based in both London and Vienna.