From pastry-shop beginnings in Geneva to leading Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, Marie-Laure Fleury’s career has been shaped by curiosity, courage and a love of people. In the Hot Seat, she reflects on global moves, redefining a landmark hotel, and what modern leadership in hospitality really means.
When Marie-Laure Fleury talks about hospitality, she speaks with the energy of someone who has never lost her sense of wonder. Now at the helm of Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, she leads one of the capital’s most distinctive luxury addresses – but her journey began with a simple desire to see the world.
“To be honest, I always knew I wanted to do something that wasn’t geographically static,” she said. “I have always loved travelling and seeing the world through different lenses. The idea of staying in one place forever just didn’t sit with me.” Hospitality, for Marie, was not initially a career plan, but a feeling: “I have also always loved what hospitality is all about; the thought of making individuals happy, creating experiences, and working in an industry where you can have a real impact on people.”
Her first real exposure came through family. Her uncle was a pastry chef in Geneva, and time spent working in his patisserie changed everything. “One day he said, ‘Have you thought about hospitality school?’ and suggested I look into it. I took that on board – and never looked back.” That advice led her to Lausanne Hotel School, a turning point she still speaks about with gratitude. “I absolutely fell in love with the campus and the school. For me, it was certainly a sacrifice on my parents’ part to support me, and that really drove me to make the most of the opportunity.”
Marie’s career has been defined by movement, challenge, and ambition. A major milestone came in 2017 when she joined Four Seasons after working with brands including Shangri-La and Peninsula. “My first role with the brand was taking on the pre-opening of Four Seasons Resort in Tunis. That was a huge milestone – building something from the ground up, leading a team through all the chaos and excitement of an opening.”
From there, her career became a global journey. “Each move – whether it was Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, or Sydney – shaped me in different ways.” But London stood out. “Taking the helm at Tower Bridge, in such a historic building; the old Port of London Authority for those that don’t know! – felt like both an honour and a huge responsibility.”
In October 2024, the property was repositioned and renamed Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, marking the start of a new chapter. “That moment was the start of a transformative journey: redefining our identity, building awareness, and putting this hotel firmly on the map through activations, partnerships, and new initiatives. What you’ve seen so far is just the beginning, and there’s so much more to come.”
Leadership, for Marie, is deeply personal. She draws inspiration from women who have shown that ambition and family life can coexist. “I’ve always been very inspired by success stories from women in leadership – people like Sheryl Sandberg. It’s not just about ambition, but about proving that you can be a parent, a partner, and a General Manager at the same time.”
She is proud of the culture she helps shape at Tower Bridge. “Within the brand, I am incredibly proud to be part of a company where women are increasingly represented at the highest levels – from general managers to department heads. I feel lucky to have several women in senior leadership positions in this hotel, and their voices, perspectives, and leadership styles help shape our culture every day.”
Behind every leader, she believes, is a support system. “I’ve been fortunate to have people around me who believed in me, and that makes all the difference. My husband has been incredibly supportive too. You really do need someone in your corner when you’re chasing big dreams.”
Her leadership style has evolved with experience. “I’ve learnt that leadership isn’t about a simple figurehead telling people what to do; it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, feel supported, and surprise themselves with what they can achieve.” She added, “I am also constantly learning, and that’s the true magic of being a leader. You grow with the people around you.”
At Tower Bridge, that philosophy translates into energy and innovation. “My philosophy is about empowerment and momentum. When you’ve got a young, dynamic, hungry team, and we certainly do here, the trick is to keep that energy flowing and never let it stagnate.” In a fiercely competitive city, standing still is not an option. “Competition in London is fierce, so we have to be bold and innovative; whether that’s through partnerships, like the Afternoon Tea we launched last year with Lily Vanilli, an East London celebrity baker, or by showcasing the talents of our incredible team.”
Looking ahead, Marie sees Tower Bridge carving out a strong and distinctive identity. “This location is special and unique. We are in the heart of the City and East London, and therefore we have our own story to tell, different to that of a Central London hotel.” Her ambition is clear: “I want more and more people to come here and recognise it for the incredible product it is.”
In the next five to ten years, she imagines the hotel as a place people fall in love with. “I see us as a destination that guests not only choose, but fall in love with – a place where the local community feels welcome and international visitors see the best of what that part of London can offer.”
At the core of everything she does is family and purpose. “For me, inspiration comes from two places: family and ambition. My parents and my husband and children have made big sacrifices so I could chase my dreams, and I’ll always pay homage to that by giving my all in what I do.”
Ultimately, her philosophy returns to people. “Hospitality is about people – caring for them, believing in them, and helping them create memories. That’s what inspires me, and that’s what I try to bring into the way I run this hotel every single day.”