Marriott International Appoints New Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa

Marriott International has made Jerome Briet the new Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Briet will work to oversee and drive Marriott’s growth through new-build, conversion, and franchise opportunities across both new and established markets in these regions.

Previously, Briet was the Regional Vice President, Mixed-use Development for the Middle East and Africa. Samir Baidas previously held the Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa title, and made great strides in this role during the past 14 years. Baidas is stepping down from this role to focus on his family business. He will, however, continue to work 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.”

The Middle East and Africa are regions that continue to present great opportunities for Marriott International to grow and diversify. The company looks forward to thriving in these established markets under Briet’s leadership.

Jerome Briet has more than 15 years of hospitality experience. He first started with Marriott International in 2012 and has signed over 6,000 rooms across the Middle East and Africa. This includes properties such as 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).

Briet worked with Jones Lang LaSalle in their Paris and Dubai offices before he joined Marriott International. There, he handled capital market transaction in the MENA region. He worked with Millennium & Copthorne. Briet hold an MBA in International Hospitality and Real Estate Management from IMHI ESSEC Business School in Paris, France.

Learn more about Marriott International on their website.