L-R Marriott International CEO, Tony Capuano and President, Stephanie Linnartz.

Anthony ‘Tony’ Capuano and Stephanie Linnartz will take on the roles of Chief Executive Officer and President respectively at Marriott International after the company opted to promote the duo as its new leadership.

As the new Marriott International CEO, Capuano will also join the company Board of Directors effective immediately. He steps up to the top job following the untimely passing last week of former CEO, Arne Sorenson, having formerly served as Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services.

Marriott Bonvoy’s loyalty program will continue to grow under the company’s new leadership.

Linnartz, who previously held the role of Group President, Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses, will become President of Marriott International. Her new duties will see her lead the execution of Marriott’s global consumer strategy including brand, marketing, sales, revenue management, customer engagement, digital, information technology, emerging businesses and loyalty.

Development of the company’s 30 operating brands around the world will also come under Linnartz’s remit, along with design and operations.

Among the major achievements led by Capuano in his former role was a doubling of the Marriott property portfolio from 3,200 properties in 2009 to more than 7,600 by the end of 2020, with the pipeline growing to nearly 500,000 rooms worldwide – more than half of which was outside the US.

Capuano also spearheaded Marriott’s Commitment to Clean initiative, which has worked to enhance the company’s already stringent and robust cleaning and hygiene standards.

Hospital-grade disinfectant guns are among a number of initiatives in use at Marriott hotels.

Speaking of his new appointment, Capuano said he was honoured to take on the role of Marriott International CEO but that the moment was bittersweet for him.

“Arne was a mentor, a champion and a friend to each member of his close-knit leadership team. It is because of Arne’s efforts that we are prepared to move forward with this transition.,” he said.

“Together, we will advance the strategy we have in place, which is laser-focused on recovery, expansion, providing opportunities for our associates, maintaining constructive relationships with our owners and franchisees, delivering safe and innovative experiences for our guests and customers, and building value for our shareholders.”

Marriott is continuing to open new properties in Australasia, including The Tasman, due later this year.

Linnartz said the best way to honour Arne’s memory was to continue to move the company forward.

“Every member of the leadership team feels a profound sense of loss at Arne’s passing. He was not just a friend and a leader for us, he was a guidepost for the hospitality industry.

“It is my privilege to take on the role of President and to work with Tony and the rest of the executive team to ensure a seamless transition and to successfully execute our strategy.”

Marriott International Executive Chairman, J.W. Marriott Jr, said Capuano and Linnartz will be outstanding leaders for the company moving forward.

“Tony has played a critical role in Marriott’s growth over the last decade,” he said.

Marriott International is honouring their former CEO by continuing to move the company forward.

He works thoughtfully and pragmatically with our owner and franchisee community and has been steadfast in ensuring Marriott delivers operational excellence and elevated customer experiences at our properties. Tony has a deep appreciation for Marriott’s thousands of associates who ultimately deliver on our customer and brand promise and I know he will be a superb steward of our culture.

“Together with Stephanie in the role of President, and the rest of our exceptional leadership team, Marriott could not be in better hands,” he added.

“Tony and Stephanie are exactly the CEO and President we need as we continue to push forward towards recovery and growth in the years ahead.”