Simon Cooper

As President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific for Marriott International, Simon Cooper led the operating performance and growth of the region that includes more than 175 properties and another 150 hotels under development represented by brands like Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard.

From 2001 to 2010, Mr. Cooper served as President for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. During this period, The Ritz-Carlton experienced unprecedented growth including the development of The Ritz-Carlton Residences and the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels. Under his leadership, the company earned the highest accolades. The Luxury Institute named it the “Most Prestigious Luxury Brand” in their surveys from 2005-2010. On numerous occasions, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won #1 ranking in the J. D. Power and Associates North America Hotel Guests Satisfaction Index Survey. In 2009, People Metrics named The Ritz-Carlton the #1 global luxury brand in terms of engaging its guests. In 2009, The Ritz-Carlton won the World Saver Award from Condé Nast for the Community Footprints program at The Ritz-Carlton.

Prior to The Ritz-Carlton, Mr. Cooper was with Marriott International where he served for three years as President of Marriott Lodging Canada and Senior Vice President for Canada and New England.

Mr. Cooper was elected to the Board of Directors of First Horizon National Corporation and served on the Audit Committee in 2005. In 2004, he was appointed to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Canada Institute Advisory Board. In 1999, Mr. Cooper was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the University of Guelph (No. 1 Comprehensive University in Canada, Macleans 99/02.) He still serves on the Board of the School of Management and Economics. In 2010, he received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the university. The degree was awarded to Mr. Cooper in recognition of his “leadership and contributions to society and to the university.”

Born and educated in England, Mr. Cooper earned an MBA from the University of Toronto.