TORONTO — Kathleen Taylor will be appointed CEO of Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels Ltd., effective Aug. 1, following the announcement that Isadore Sharp has decided to transition from his role as CEO.
Company founder, Sharp, will remain as chairman “and continue to be involved in the company, retaining oversight and direction of the design and aesthetics of new and existing hotels in the manner that he has always done,” a statement reads.
Taylor, who joined Four Seasons in 1989, and has served as president and COO since 2007, commented, saying, “I’m greatly honoured to become the next CEO of Four Seasons and have the opportunity to continue building on the legacy of leadership and vision established by Issy. Over the course of my career, I have experienced first-hand the company’s commitment to building future leaders through careful development.”
Four Seasons began as a modest motor inn that Sharp opened in Toronto in 1961 and has grown to its present portfolio of 82 hotels, creating one of the most powerful and respected hospitality companies in the industry.
Looking to the future, Taylor said, “Four Seasons is well positioned to take advantage of the recovery in luxury travel, and we are energized by all the positive developments at the company. These include our significant expansion plans for China, which we view as a key strategic market and a robust pipeline of more than 50 global projects in development. I am firmly committed to the strategies, culture and focus on exceptional guest experiences that have made our company the leader it is today.”
