PARIS—Accor appointed Sébastien Bazin as the new chairman and CEO. Yann Caillère, CEO of Accor, will leave the group following seven years of service. Bazin had been heading Colony Capital since 1997.
“Following the selection procedure, the [Board of Directors] has considered Sébastien as the best choice for Accor, among all high quality candidates that have been examined,” stated Philippe Citerne, who has been appointed as vice-chairman of Accor’s Board of Directors. “His perfect understanding of the group, his experience in the hotel sector and his strong international culture are all assets to successfully lead the ongoing transformation of the group, to ensure its development and assert itself as a world leader in the industry.”
Gerard Pélisson and Paul Dubrule, co-founders of Accor, said in a statement, “We have expressed our support to this appointment during the meeting of the board. We have known Sébastien for over 10 years. We have always had frank and direct relationship with him. He has proven his commitment to this group that we founded more than 40 years ago, and to its values. We are convinced that he will be able to give the fresh impetus Accor needs to continue to develop over time.”
Bazin, said in a statement, “I take on this new role with great ambition for the group, to which I am deeply committed, and acute awareness of the challenges it currently faces. I want it to find the boldness, dynamism and desire which it has always been led by. And I wish us to work all together, employees, franchisees and partners, directors and shareholders, and that we will work confidently towards a common goal: to develop the group to the very highest level with commitment and stringency.”