Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has announced the promotion of Francis Desjardins to Regional Vice President, Pacific Northwest. He will hold the role alongside his position as General Manager of Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. This dual role places five of the brand’s hotels under his responsibility: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Empress in Victoria, Fairmont Waterfront, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Fairmont Vancouver Airport.
A regional remit anchored by a flagship hotel
At regional level, Francis Desjardins will oversee operations across Fairmont’s entire Pacific Northwest portfolio. He will also keep operational leadership of Fairmont Pacific Rim, which opened in 2010 and holds Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings.
Canadian by birth, he returns to his home country after a long international career. By giving him both a regional portfolio and an iconic property, Fairmont is backing an executive who understands operational demands, brand standards and the levers of growth.
Fairmont Taghazout Bay, his last Moroccan posting
Francis Desjardins joins from Fairmont Taghazout Bay in Morocco, which he has led since 2019. He oversaw both its opening and its subsequent operation. Our French-language sister title La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie (LTH) reported on his remarks at the launch of Fairmont Taghazout Bay, north of Agadir.
According to Fairmont, he played a decisive role in launching the resort and positioning it in the luxury segment. Under his leadership, the property achieved record financial results and became one of the Kingdom’s most prominent upscale addresses.
Nearly three decades with the brand
Francis Desjardins has spent more than 28 years with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, working across North America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Before Morocco, he was General Manager of Fairmont Ajman. He had earlier served as Director of Operations at Fairmont The Palm in Dubai and then at Fairmont Baku Flame Towers. He also held the post of Director of Rooms at Fairmont Singapore.
Over the course of his career, he has led several openings, rebrandings and repositioning strategies. Fairmont also highlights his ability to unite teams and build lasting relationships with owners, which is essential when managing a multi-property portfolio. According to the brand, his international experience, strategic vision and in-depth knowledge of Fairmont make him fully prepared to lead Pacific Rim and support the region’s growth.
Internal mobility as a governance lever
Analysis – This appointment also shows how an international group moves its talent around. Expertise gained in an emerging luxury market, in this case Morocco’s Atlantic coast, becomes an asset when taking on regional responsibility in North America. For Fairmont, it is a way to promote people from within who have already proven themselves on openings and repositionings, rather than recruiting externally.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Francis Desjardins promoted to Regional Vice President, Pacific Northwest – Fairmont
Dual role: RVP Pacific Northwest and General Manager of Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver
Oversees five hotels: Pacific Rim, Empress, Waterfront, Hotel Vancouver and Vancouver Airport
Canadian-born, returns home from Fairmont Taghazout Bay, Morocco, which he opened and led since 2019
28+ years with Fairmont across North America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa
Fairmont Pacific Rim opened in 2010 and holds Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings
