Simon Casson takes helm at Four Seasons' Dubai

Simon Casson will take the helm as regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach later this year, ahead of the property's late-2014 opening.

Named among the ‘Most Powerful Hoteliers in the Middle East’ by Hotelier in 2012, Casson will make the transition from his current position as regional vice president and GM of Four Seasons Hotel Doha to Dubai where he will lead the pre-opening team in November 2013.

Casson will continue to fulfill his role as regional vice president – overseeing Four Seasons Hotels in Damascus, Syria, Beirut, Lebanon, Riyadh, Baku and Tanzania, in addition to the Dubai property.

Commenting on the appointment, Christopher W. Norton, president hotel operations Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “The Dubai resort is one of the most highly anticipated within our Middle East portfolio. We expect it to be a top player in its competitor set and Simon Casson is the right man to be in charge.”

A 24-year veteran of Four Seasons, Casson fulfilled a career-long goal to be a general manager with Four Seasons when he moved to Doha in 2004, following time spent with the company at properties in North America and Europe.

As GM of Four Seasons Hotel Doha for the past nine years and a regional vice president Middle East for the past two years, Casson brings an in-depth knowledge of the market and what works in the region to his new role.

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts say Casson has been instrumental in guiding the Middle Eastern property teams in a period of rapid growth and change. He was recently named chair of the Four Seasons Global Spa Task Force, a 20-strong committee that oversees the group’s spas worldwide.

The chain report that construction on Four Seasons Resort Dubai Jumeirah Beach is on schedule and making strong headway with the main structural works completed on the five-storey property and interior installations due to commence.