Marriott International has named Ming Choo Ling as Chief Human Resources Officer for its Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, a move that underscores the hotel group's focus on leadership development and talent retention in one of its fastest-growing markets. Ming Choo, who brings more than 25 years of human resources leadership experience, will be based in Singapore and report directly to Rajeev Menon, President of Asia Pacific excluding China.
Her appointment comes as Marriott continues to expand its footprint across APEC, where it operates more than 760 hotels under 27 brands in 22 markets. The region has become a critical growth engine for the company, with a strong pipeline of new openings and a workforce of approximately 116,000 associates. Ming Choo's mandate includes three strategic priorities: growing great leaders, investing in associates, and expanding access to opportunity.
Leadership experience and strategic focus
Ming Choo joins Marriott from Unilever, where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Home Care Greater Asia. In that role, she was responsible for strengthening organizational and leadership capabilities across a complex, multi-country portfolio. Her background includes leading large-scale transformations and aligning HR strategies with business growth objectives, experience that Marriott executives say will be invaluable as the company navigates a dynamic hospitality landscape.
“As we continue to grow across APEC, developing exceptional leaders, strengthening our culture, and creating opportunities for our people will be more important than ever,” said Rajeev Menon. “Ming Choo brings the leadership, experience, and fresh perspective to help us build for the future whilst preserving what makes Marriott special.”
The appointment signals Marriott's continued investment in its people strategy, particularly in a region where competition for talent is intense. The company has been recognized as a Great Place to Work in 15 markets across APEC, with nine markets achieving national Best Workplace rankings. These accolades reflect Marriott's commitment to fostering a culture that supports associate growth and development, a key differentiator in the hospitality industry.
Ming Choo's focus on “growing great leaders” aligns with Marriott's broader efforts to build a robust leadership pipeline. The company has long emphasized internal promotion and career development, and her experience in leadership capability building is expected to reinforce these initiatives. Her work on “expanding access to opportunity” also speaks to Marriott's diversity and inclusion goals, which have become increasingly important to both employees and guests.
The APEC region has been a bright spot for Marriott, with strong demand from both business and leisure travel. The company's portfolio includes brands such as Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, and Moxy, catering to a wide range of traveler preferences. As travel continues to rebound, Marriott is positioning itself to capitalize on growth opportunities, and having the right HR leadership is seen as critical to that strategy.
Ming Choo's appointment is part of a broader trend of hospitality companies strengthening their human resources functions to address post-pandemic workforce challenges. Hotels are facing labor shortages in many markets, and retaining skilled associates has become a top priority. Marriott's focus on culture and development is designed to address these challenges head-on.
In related news, Marriott has been expanding its presence in other regions, including recent deals for all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica and Tanzania. The company's global growth strategy is complemented by regional leadership appointments like Ming Choo's, which aim to ensure that expansion is supported by strong organizational capabilities.
Ming Choo's role will also involve collaborating with other regional leaders to share best practices and ensure consistency across Marriott's global operations. Her experience in Asia, where she has worked across multiple countries, gives her a nuanced understanding of the region's diverse cultures and business environments.
As Marriott continues to navigate the evolving travel landscape, the appointment of Ming Choo Ling signals a commitment to investing in its people. With her leadership, the company aims to build a future-ready workforce that can deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining the culture that has made Marriott a preferred employer in the hospitality industry.
