Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has made a handful of new, senior appointments and promorions as it continues to strengthen its operational leadership team Christian Clerc has been appointed president, hotel operations, Americas, Simon Casson has been promoted to president, hotel operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Rainer Stampfer has been promoted to president, hotel operations, Asia Pacific.

Each will focus on key initiatives across their respective regions, strengthening the company’s position and ensuring that both existing and new properties are the best representation of Four Seasons in every market where the company operates.

“Christian, Simon and Rainer are exceptional leaders, accomplished hotel operators and committed to the culture and values that define Four Seasons,” says J. Allen Smith, president and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

“These appointments demonstrate the deep bench strength of leadership experience we have across the organisation,” continues Smith. “We are proud to be able to promote from within as we develop the next generation of operations leadership at Four Seasons. Having the right leaders in place ensures that we continue to operate the very best luxury hotels, resorts and private residences in the world.”

Following Clerc’s transition to the Americas, Simon Casson has been promoted to president, hotel operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa.  Casson is currently RVP and GM of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. He will continue to be based in Dubai, transitioning from the Resort to Four Seasons corporate office in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

A native of the UK, Casson joined Four Seasons 27 years ago and has held management positions in London, Washington DC and Doha, where he served as the opening GM at Four Seasons Hotel Doha for nine years. In 2011 Casson was promoted to RVP, overseeing properties in Europe and the Middle East.  Since 2013 he has been posted in Dubai where he opened Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach to great acclaim. During this time Casson also chaired the company’s Global Spa Task Force, overseeing Four Seasons spa efforts worldwide.

In his new role Casson will lead hotel operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, supporting the company’s focus on product and service differentiation as it continues to extend its presence across the region with new properties opening soon in London (Ten Trinity Square) and Kuwait City, as well as a recently announced resort in Hvar and a second luxury property in the Seychelles on Desroches Island.