Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced today that, after an inspiring and dynamic career, Jim FitzGibbon, President Worldwide Hotel Operations, has decided to retire. Mr. FitzGibbon will continue to be involved with the Company in an advisory role as Four Seasons transitions to a new organizational structure. He will officially relinquish these transitional responsibilities at the end of 2012.

“We will all miss Jim’s leadership, business acumen, warmth and humour. All of us at Four Seasons have benefited enormously from the lasting contributions Jim has made to our organization and culture,” said Katie Taylor, CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “In his distinguished 35 year career, Jim has mentored and stewarded many of the Company’s current and future leaders, leaving behind a solid foundation for succession, and a lasting legacy of leadership and friendship. I am personally grateful for the tremendous support he has given me over our many years working together.”

An Illustrious Career

FitzGibbon’s career at Four Seasons has spanned 10 posts in almost as many countries, beginning with an entry level position in the Front Office at the Inn on the Park Toronto and culminating in his appointment to President, Worldwide Hotel Operations in 2006. Since that time, FitzGibbon has helped Four Seasons navigate successfully through the recent global recession, and also gathered an enormous wealth of ties and relationships around the world, both within Four Seasons and with guests and customers. His empathy and engaging personality have ensured him a wide range of friends and supporters, and his steady, unfailing sense of fairness and inclusion has earned him the respect of all who know him well.

“I count myself exceedingly fortunate to have been able to spend my career with Four Seasons,” said Jim FitzGibbon. “The opportunity to grow and learn with the Company, and to be able to lead a team of the most talented and passionate people in the business, has been tremendously rewarding. While I will certainly miss the day to day interactions with our guests and employees, I know that I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.”