John Davison appointed permanent Four Seasons CEO

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has named John Davison as president and chief executive officer effective immediately. Davison has served as interim CEO since the end of 2018.

Davison joined Four Seasons' executive ranks in 2002 and has served as chief financial officer since 2005, with oversight of corporate finance, operations finance, and information systems and technology. He stepped in following the departure of J Allen Smith, who left at the end of his five-year contract in December.

Prior to Four Seasons, Davison worked for 14 years at IMAX Corporation as president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and for four years as a member of the audit and business investigations practices at KPMG in Toronto. He also serves on the board of directors of Canada Goose Holdings, Benevity, and IMAX China Holding.

Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons founder and chairman, said: "I am extremely pleased with the selection of John as Four Seasons CEO. Since John assumed the interim role, Four Seasons has earned record financial results.

"But just as importantly, over the years he has proven his dedication to advancing the vision and values of our company, earning the trust and respect of the entire board and management team as well as his colleagues throughout the world. John is a proven leader whose experience and strategic focus will further strengthen Four Seasons' dominant position as the world's leading luxury hospitality brand."

Davison said: "It is a privilege to continue working alongside our board, our leadership team, and our more than 45,000 talented and dedicated employees as we take Four Seasons into the next phase of its continued growth and innovation. With a record number of hotel and residential project openings on the horizon, Four Seasons is expanding faster than at any time in its 60-year history."

Four Seasons was founded in 1960 by Sharp, and now has 115 hotels and resorts and 42 residential properties in 48 countries, including two properties in London and one in Hampshire. The company was taken private in 2007 by its long-term shareholders.

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