The new initiative follows the successful merger between Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts and the progressing integration of the two companies.
The revamped brand, marketing, sales, and consumer services (BMSC) leadership team comprises of experienced professionals from Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, bringing together skills from both companies and speaks to the company’s commitment to support its enhanced footprint and growth plans in the region.
With a current portfolio of over 240 hotels with 54 000 rooms in 30 countries, Marriott International is working towards targeting a projected growth of 150 000 rooms operational and pipeline in 38 countries by 2022 across the Middle East and Africa.
Jones says, "The leadership changes we are announcing are important in fostering greater synergies, teamwork, accountability, and nimble decision-making, which is critical to laying down a strong foundation that will support our ambitious growth plans in the region. I am extremely excited to work together with such a talented and diverse group of leaders who bring with them exceptional domain expertise as well as regional insights that will enable us to create a more vibrant organisation that delivers value for all stakeholders."
“I am confident that with this, we have the right structure and talent in place to accelerate our lead in the market, drive further innovation, and strengthen the positioning of our brands, while keeping our loyal and new guests at the centre of everything we do – steering us into the next phase of our growth and success,” he adds.
Marriott’s BMSC leadership team for the Middle East and Africa has been formed with the following professionals currently on board – a vice president of luxury brands is soon to be announced.
Sarah Walker Kerr – Vice president of communications Middle East and Africa
Kerr will be responsible for devising and implementing the overall communications strategy for Marriott International in the region by driving visibility, enhancing the perception of the company and its brands, and increasing its share of voice in the media.
She will provide counsel to the senior executive leadership team, manage internal and external communications, crisis communications, and reputation management as well as brand communications. Kerr was previously regional director of PR Middle East, Africa, India, and Japan for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
Paul Dalgleish – Vice president of sales and distribution
Dalgleish will be responsible for property, market, and area sales organisations as well as the global sales organisation – while leading the Middle East and Africa distribution strategy.
Previously vice president of sales for Marriott International, Dalgleish has played a key role in the expansion of the Middle East and Africa Region, deploying new and innovative sales strategies.
Sarah Allen – Vice president of revenue strategy and analysis
Allen will be responsible for the property, market, and area revenue management, remote revenue management solutions, and revenue management analysis.
Formerly vice president of revenue management, Marriott International Middle East and Africa, Allen is a Marriott International has played a role in moving hotels onto Marriott’s revenue management platforms by implementing processes as well as setting up shared services across the markets to drive synergies. She was also the business leader for the integration of Protea Hotels, which was acquired by Marriott International in 2014.
Jitendra Jain – Vice president of digital, loyalty, and portfolio marketing
Jain will be responsible for the company’s award-winning loyalty programmes, partnerships, cross-brand marketing of Marriott International’s regional portfolio, and will lead all digital marketing platforms and products.
Jain previously led the marketing function for the former Starwood portfolio in the Middle East, where he spearheaded the transformation of marketing processes, talent, and culture, cultivating a data-driven and forward-looking mindset and leveraging digital brands and loyalty.
Sandra Schulze-Potgieter – Vice president of premium and select brands
Schulze-Potgieter will be responsible for brand marketing and management for Marriott International’s portfolio of premium and select brands and will oversee restaurant and bars marketing as well as area field marketing.
Schulze-Potgieter was previously senior director of brand marketing and e-commerce for Marriott International Middle East and Africa, managing field marketing, brand marketing, PR, partnerships, social media, digital as well as loyalty. She was instrumental in positioning Marriott International’s lead in brand marketing in the region.
Raheel Baggia – Senior director of BMSC planning and services
Baggia will be responsible for integration and change management, programme execution, and training. Prior to this, Baggia served as director of BMSC Consulting Middle East and Africa.
Since joining Marriott in 2013, Baggia has been working on continent projects both in his previous role supporting BMSC-Middle East and Africa, as well as in Europe where he was part of the global operations team.
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