FRANCE/INTERNATIONAL. Lagardère Travel Retail has announced key changes to its senior management and Executive Committee.
Well known and highly respected Chief Business Officer Ambroise Fondeur is leaving the group, effective immediately, to pursue new professional challenges. He spent 26 years at Lagardère Travel Retail in roles in the US and Europe.
His role will be taken by Lucio Rossetto, currently CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail Italy. Rossetto will oversee the group’s three business lines (Duty Free & Fashion, Travel Essentials, Foodservice).
Based in Paris, he will be a member of the Executive Committee and report to Chairman & CEO Dag Rasmussen.
Fondeur said: “These years at Lagardère Travel Retail have been fantastic years, full of personal development and achievements. I am proud of having contributed to what the group has become. Over the past 20 years I have seen travel retail transform itself into one of the most attractive channels in retail, built on relationships and based on unique shopping experiences. Despite the short-term challenges it faces, I am convinced that the travel retail industry will bounce back quickly and strongly.”
Lagardère Travel Retail also announced the following changes:
Emmanuel de Place, currently Regional COO Asia Pacific, is named Chief Transformation Officer, reporting to Jean-Baptiste Morin, Chief Talent & Organization Officer. De Place will lead the company’s ‘LEaP Forward’ transformation programme, aimed at improving the group’s performance and resilience. He will relocate to the Paris office.
Alberto Niero is named CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail Italy. A company veteran, he is currently Vice President Sales, Marketing and Development in Italy.
Ann Pang, currently CFO in Singapore, becomes CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail Singapore and Malaysia.
Within the Group’s Executive Committee, Séverine Lanthier, Chief Development and Strategy Officer will take responsibility for Asia as Chief Operating Officer for the region (Greater China, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia) in addition to her other responsibilities.
Luc Mansion will take responsibility for the Pacific region in addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer.
Dag Rasmussen said: “Ambroise has brought a lot in many ways to our group over the past years and I would like to thank him for his tremendous contribution. We’ll miss his vision and his knowledge of the industry.
“Lucio will be a great addition to the executive team. Since joining the organisation in Italy in 2015, Lucio has demonstrated superior strategic and operational strengths that will be extremely valuable for the group in these difficult times.
“Emmanuel has a long-standing career in Lagardère Travel Retail. His understanding of our business and is in-depth knowledge of the group will be key to our future successes and ability to live through and rebound from the current crisis. I’m fully confident that under his leadership the group will be successful in the ambitious business transformation we’ve initiated.
“Both Alberto and Ann have deep understanding of their respective organisations and markets and proven track records.
“These changes will make us stronger to live through the crisis and prepare us for the future. They have been made possible thanks to the wealth of talents we have in our organisation. I am sure they will deliver great results in the future. Please join me in wishing them every success in their new roles.”
*In one of the highlight sessions of the Virtual Travel Retail Expo this week so far, Dag Rasmussen took part in a compelling Q&A with Martin Moodie about Lagardère Travel Retail strategy and the prospects for the travel retail industry in the post-COVID-19 era. Click here for more.
