After a long, grueling search for a new CEO, Four Seasons closed its search on August 1st of this year. The company has only this week sworn in its new CEO, Allen Smith. At JDI Search, we’re eager to see how this unfolds. Four Seasons is a company that many would say, still epitomizes the “art of hospitality” in an industry that many feel has become real estate, and bottom line focused.
A Real Estate Perspective
Mr. Smith has come into the hotel world from Prudential Real Estate Investors. It is a known fact that Four Seasons tends to hire from within the company for hotel positions such as Mr. Smith’s, so will this risk taken on the part of Four Seasons ultimately provide the right blend of experience and new perspective?
A Global Track Record
Critics believe that this background in real estate is what ultimately cemented the position for Mr. Smith. At JDI Search, we are very interested to see if Four Seasons will truly benefit from the experience he brings, because his professional history shows that his previous company expanded globally under his management. Will Mr. Smith’s track record ultimately shows that he will be able to bring Four Seasons to new heights all over the world? Will the “art of hospitality” take a back seat to real estate expansion, or will they be able to continue their legacy of hospitality, while growing their portfolio globally?
The hotel recruiting experts behind the decision were also able to take into account Mr. Smith’s prior investment at Prudential Real Estate Investors in many different types of commercial property, as well as his proven track record for strategic planning, management of portfolios, corporate finance, and organizational development.
Four Seasons has recently begun to venture into many new parts of the world. At JDI Search, our hotel recruiting experts know that if a hotel’s mission is to serve travelers from all over the world, then those who end up in hotel positions such as CEO must have the ability not only to continue this kind of work but to build and expand upon it.