Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, continues to create leadership opportunities for key talent with the promotion of Christian Clerc, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris to the role of Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).  

In his new role based in Dubai, Clerc will lead hotel operations across EMEA and report to Christopher Norton, Executive Vice President, Global Product and Operations and support the company’s increased focus on product and service differentiation.

Born and educated in Switzerland and a graduate of the prestigious Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, Clerc worked at a variety of hotels in destinations across Europe, including Rome and Paris, before joiningFour Seasons Hotel Washington, DC in 2000. In 2003 he became General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico and was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2006, a role that included regional responsibility for Latin America. Clerc continued his Four Seasons journey with senior operational roles in Chicago and Washington, DC before assuming the role of General Manager of the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris in 2013, while also overseeing properties in Geneva, Milan, Florence, Lisbon and Marrakech in his capacity as Regional Vice President.

Four Seasons has also announced the promotion of  Christopher Norton to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Global Product and Operations.

Effective April 1, 2014, the position includes responsibility for worldwide hotel operations, product, design, construction and procurement. Under Norton’s oversight, product and service delivery will be further integrated to increase opportunities for differentiation as Four Seasons extends its global leadership position.

The appointment builds on Norton’s extensive industry experience, including 25 years with Four Seasons, most recently serving as President Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, a role that included the operational oversight of all Four Seasons properties in the region.

“Chris is a visionary leader who has helped enhance the quality of our product across the region while staying true to the values that have been central to the company’s success,” said Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

“The creation of this new role reflects our increased focus on product and service differentiation and long-term growth as we continue to align leadership talent with key business priorities. It is a role that recognizes the significant contributions that Chris has made — and will continue to make — in strengthening our industry-leading position.”