Hyatt Hotels made several key executive leadership changes Wednesday as the company moves toward a more brand-focused strategy.
Hyatt appointed international businessperson Marc Jacheet as group president for the company’s Europe, Africa and Middle East region, according to a Wednesday release. Jacheet’s appointment is effective March 17, and he will fully transition into the role by July 1. Based at Hyatt’s EAME hub in Zurich, Jacheet will report directly to CEO Mark Hoplamazian.
Jacheet brings more than 25 years of management experience to the position, having previously held leadership roles at global luxury and consumer brands like De Beers, Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon and Evian, per Hyatt.
Hyatt’s former EAME group president, Javier Águila, was named chief growth officer, effective July 1. In his new role, Águila will oversee Hyatt’s global growth “through development strategy and execution as well as transactions,” per the company, and remain in his new role as president for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, which took effect March 1.
Jim Chu, who has served as Hyatt’s chief growth officer since 2022, will assume the new position of head of owner relations, effective July 1, according to the company. Chu will bring “more focus and dedication to this important stakeholder group,” per Hyatt.
The leadership changes “further strengthen Hyatt’s commitment to becoming a more brand-focused organization,” according to the release.
During Hyatt’s Q4 2024 earnings call last month, Hoplamazian said the next step in the company’s journey is the formation of its five new distinct brand groupings: Luxury, Lifestyle, Inclusive, Classics and Essentials.
“Our brand-led organization allows us to further elevate the focus on our guests and customers that we serve in these brand groups,” he said. “We’re using new tools that deliver bespoke insights that will drive greater customer preference for each brand group and more loyalty to Hyatt. Even as we improve these abilities, we have the most white space and opportunities to grow compared to our major competitors.”
During the call, Hoplamazian said the new brand strategy will drive “greater loyalty and share of wallet among our members and customers at a higher average rate and at a lower cost of acquisition, driving better returns for our owners.”
Marriott International also recently made key executive leadership changes on the heels of a corporate restructuring.
