OpenAI taps Airbnb exec as first EMEA managing director

Marill previously led financial services and automotive industry at Facebook and Instagram.

OpenAI has hired Airbnb’s former European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) lead Emmanuel Marill as its first EMEA managing director, as the company continues to expand globally with an initial public offering in sight.

Marill, who led Airbnb’s EMEA, Australia and New Zealand operations for a number of years, also previously worked with Meta as their financial services and automotive industry lead for Facebook and Instagram.

Marill’s appointment reflects “strong momentum in EMEA”, OpenAI said. He will be based in Paris and report to chief strategy officer Jason Kwon. He will also collaborate with OpenAI’s EU headquarters in Dublin, which currently has around 80 employees.

“As demand for ChatGPT and Codex continues to grow rapidly all over the world, we are investing significantly in our international leadership and operations”, Kwon said.