Christian Clerc Promoted to Four Seasons VP Europe, Middle East, Africa

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. March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014 - Four Seasons 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 hotelière 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.

“During his tenure as Regional Vice President and his leadership at the helm of properties including Four SeasonsHotel Washington, DC and Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Christian has demonstrated a relentless commitment to excellence that has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues, guests and our hotel owners alike,” says Norton. “Christian's strategic thinking, paired with his operational expertise, will play a key role in ensuring a standard of excellence across all EMEA properties and support our significant growth plans for the region.”

Currently representing 30 percent of the existing portfolio of Four Seasons hotels and resorts, EMEA is a dynamic region poised for considerable growth as the brand extends its footprint across both new and existing markets.

Expansion across the region will be marked by several key openings scheduled for 2014 including Moscow, the company's second location in Russia, located just steps from Red Square. This will be followed by three highly anticipated openings in new markets for Four Seasons - Johannesburg, where the Westcliff hotel will be reflagged as a Four Seasons; Dubai, a resort at Jumeirah Beach on the Arabian Gulf that will set a new standard for luxury hospitality in UAE; and Bahrain, a striking H-shaped tower featuring a two-story sky bridge that will be focal point of a dynamic development project in Bahrain Bay. Looking further ahead, projects at various stages of development across the region include Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Madrid and two new Moroccan properties - Casablanca and Taghazhout Bay.

“I look forward to the opportunities ahead as we further enhance the guest experience in our properties, support future growth and strengthen the brand's leadership position across the region,” says Clerc. “It is privilege to oversee such a remarkable group of properties and talented people. It is through the passion and commitment of our exceptional people that we are able to bring our properties to life, delivering the extraordinary service and guest experiences that characterize Four Seasons."

Clerc's promotion builds on Four Seasons reputation for creating growth opportunities for key talent within the organization. As he moves into his new role, Four Seasons veteran Jose Silva is promoted to Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, an appointment that reflects the deep operational bench strength and tenure within the organization.

Currently General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, Silva's vision and passion for perfecting the guest experience have had a transformative influence on the property, which recently added a new collection of suites, reimagined the spa experience with the launch of Spa Mont Blanc, and was awarded its first Michelin Star at Il Lago - the only Italian restaurant in French-speaking Switzerland to be honoured with this prestigious accolade.