Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the promotion of Christopher Norton to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Global Product and Operations.

　　Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the promotion of Christopher Norton to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Global Product and Operations.

　　Effective April 1, 2014, the position includes responsibility for worldwide hotel operations, product, design, construction and procurement. Under Norton's oversight, product and service delivery will be further integrated to increase opportunities for differentiation.

　　The appointment builds on Norton's industry experience, including 25 years with Four Seasons, most recently serving as President Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, a role that included the operational oversight of all Four Seasons properties in the region.

　　A graduate of the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland, Norton joined Four Seasons in 1989 as an Executive Assistant Manager at the former Le Quatre Saisons, Montreal. Since that time, he has managed properties across the globe including Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.

　　In 1999 Norton was appointed Regional Vice President, overseeing properties in Indonesia, the Maldives and Singapore. From 2007 to 2012 he served as General Manager of one of the company's flagship properties, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, while also overseeing properties in Europe, North Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East in his capacity as Regional Vice President. In 2012 he was appointed President Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

　　In addition to his regional responsibilities, Norton chaired the company's Global Spa Task Force, overseeing Four Seasons spa efforts worldwide. He will be relocating to the company's headquarters in Toronto, Canada and will report directly to President and CEO Allen Smith.