Four Seasons appoints Robert Fritz as executive chairman | News
Four Seasons has appointed Robert Fritz as executive chairman. Four Seasons founder and chairman Isadore Sharp will assume the role of chairman emeritus.
Mr. Fritz is a longtime executive at Cascade Investment, the company’s majority owner. Since 2022, he has been chief director of the Four Seasons Board. He works closely with the company’s Board of Directors and executive leadership team to help develop the company’s long-term strategic plan.
As Executive Chairman, Mr. Fritz will continue to lead the board and work closely with Four Seasons President and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Reynal and the company’s executive leadership team in guiding the company’s long-term strategic direction to ensure Four Seasons remains the world’s leading luxury hospitality company.
As Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Sharp will remain deeply involved with the company he founded more than sixty years ago and, as he has done throughout his career, will continue to represent the brand, engage with its people and uphold the Four Seasons culture based on the Golden Rule.
“Robert and I have long agreed on what makes Four Seasons special: its people,” said Mr. Sharp. “As Chairman Emeritus, I will remain closely involved with the company and committed to its future. I have great confidence in Robert’s leadership and the direction the company is taking.”
“Robert shares Issy’s vision for Four Seasons,” said Michael Larson, Cascade’s Chief Investment Officer. “We are pleased that Robert will continue his active engagement with management and key stakeholders in support of the company’s long-term strategy.”
“Kingdom has been a committed investor in Four Seasons since 1994 and we have watched the company grow into the defining name in global luxury hospitality. We warmly welcome Robert Fritz as executive chairman and extend our deepest respect to Isadore Sharp, whose golden rule philosophy remains the foundation of all that Four Seasons represents,” said Sarmad Zok, CEO of Kingdom Hotel Investments.
“Robert has been a deeply committed and trusted partner to me and our leadership team,” said Alejandro Reynal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Four Seasons. “He shares our long-term vision and commitment to leading with intention and protecting what defines Four Seasons as we continue to grow.”
“As steward of the brand, I look forward to continuing to support Alejandro and the management team in maintaining the excellent reputation Four Seasons has built over the past 65 years,” said Mr. Fritz. “Long-term decision-making and a people-centric culture will continue to drive this company forward and deliver value to all our stakeholders.”
Four Seasons is privately owned by majority shareholder Cascade Investment, LLC, together with Kingdom Holding Company and Isadore Sharp, through Triples Holdings Limited, and is supported by committed shareholders who align with the company’s values and long-term strategy.
With more than 130 properties operating worldwide and a robust development pipeline, Four Seasons remains focused on purposeful growth, innovation in luxury hospitality and upholding the principles that have defined the company since its founding.
