Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts has announced Kathleen Taylor will be leaving her role as chief executive.

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 chief executive 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 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.

Four Seasons has initiated a search for Taylor’s successor and has retained Ferguson Partners, 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.

“Our long-term commitment to Four Seasons has not changed,” said His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Hotels International.

“We are confident that we can quickly identify a successor to Katie who shares the Four Seasons vision and values and that the company’s strong Executive Leadership Team, which has the full support of the shareholders, will provide the leadership and continuity necessary to guide us through a seamless transition. We see more opportunity today than ever before.”