CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. has named Herve Humler president and chief operations officer. Humler replaces Simon F. Cooper, who has been named Marriott International’s new president and managing director for Asia Pacific.
The moves are part of an ongoing restructuring of the company that has been under way for the past 18 months, an effort to make the company more nimble, more and responsive to market conditions and able to expand more rapidly, says June Farrell, vice president of international public relations for Marriott.
The change is considered by Marriott to be a promotion for Cooper. “He goes from heading a group of 70-plus hotels to a division of more than 120-plus hotels and several brands,” Farrell says.
Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott, retains his title and can now concentrate his focus on growing Marriott’s Middle East and Africa division, introducing the company into sub-Saharan Africa while continuing to counsel the corporation on its global growth strategy, Farrell says.
Humler, one of the original founders of The Ritz-Carlton in 1983, will be responsible for leading the brand’s operations and global growth strategy and championing its distinctive service culture. Based at The Ritz-Carlton headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, he will also oversee Bulgari Hotels & Resorts and report to Robert J. McCarthy, Marriott International group president. Additionally, Humler will oversee all 76 Ritz-Carlton hotels and the opening of more than 30 new hotel and residential projects currently under way.
“Herve is a true international hotelier with more than 35 years in the luxury lodging business and has helped to build The Ritz-Carlton into a world-class brand,” McCarthy says. “We feel most fortunate to have Herve in this position of increased responsibility where he can continue to provide his strong leadership to this iconic brand.”
Humler has previously held several key senior positions within The Ritz-Carlton, including global chief operations officer and head of the brand’s international region. Before joining The Ritz-Carlton, Humler held senior management positions with Hyatt Hotels Corp., IHG and The Princess Hotel in Bermuda. Humler holds a degree in hotel management from The Hotel School in Nice, France.
The Ritz-Carlton last week received the highest ranking for luxury hotels in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates annual customer survey.
