Kathleen Taylor Stepping Down as CEO of Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts today announced that Kathleen Taylor will be leaving her role as chief executive officer. The privately held company, with the backing of its long-term shareholders Kingdom Holding Company, Cascade Investment, and Triples Holdings, is focused on building on Four Seasons leadership position by accelerating execution of its existing strategy to drive global growth and expansion of its iconic brand. Taylor assumed the role of CEO from Isadore Sharp, the founder of Four Seasons, in 2010. During her almost 25 year tenure at Four Seasons she was integral to the expansion of the business which quadrupled its size, increased its global footprint from three countries to operations in 37 countries, and resulted in strategic partnerships with more than 100 hotel owners and developers across the globe. Sharp continues as Chairman and a shareholder and is closely involved in developing and advancing relationships with partners, employees and customers around the world. “I am deeply grateful to Katie for her nearly 25 years of outstanding service and wish her well in the next phase of her career,” said Mr. Sharp. “Katie has been a trusted colleague and fundamental to building Four Seasons into the admired and successful company it is today. She leaves us with a strong foundation for the future and we remain firmly committed to leadership in luxury hospitality and accelerating our goals for long-term growth.” “Throughout my almost quarter century with Four Seasons the one constant has been the power of the employees – they have always been my inspiration,” said Taylor. “I am also immensely proud of the members of my executive leadership team and going forward, it is they, along with the nearly 40,000 employees who will fulfil the vision that we have put in place together, driving the future success of the company. It has been a pleasure to get to know so many loyal Four Seasons guests, customers, and residential owners around the world.” Four Seasons has initiated a search for Taylor’s successor and has retained Ferguson Partners Ltd., a leading executive search firm, to assist in the process. In the interim, Four Seasons nine-member Executive Leadership Team will manage the company with oversight from the company’s Board.