Executive Vice President, Worldwide Development

“Everyone wants to know where the next big destination will be. There are many incredible opportunities out there, and there will be exciting new places to experience Four Seasons in the future. What will never change is our commitment to the people with whom we work – our business partners, our employees and our guests.”

Scott is always on the lookout for a great deal, and it’s a mission that takes him – literally – to every corner of the globe. With three main criteria in mind, he looks for and assesses opportunities to create new Four Seasons hotels and resorts. First up is the strength of the market and destination; second is the quality of the proposed site; and third is the investor behind the project. “The investor is the trickiest part,” he says. “Anyone with money can build a luxury product; what sets Four Seasons apart are the partnerships we build with companies and individuals who are as committed to our service culture as we are. In addition to having the financial resources, they must have the understanding and commitment to Four Seasons service culture in order to build a great hotel.”

In a process that takes an average of five years from concept to grand opening, Scott spends a lot of time thinking about the future. Where travellers will want to go, where Four Seasons wants to be and how the marketplace will evolve. Says Scott: “We have a long-term strategy, and when we find others who share our goals, and match those goals against what our guests want – and will want in the future – we have ourselves a deal.”