Paris (2010-11-04)

DENIS Hennequin will assume the position of chairman and CEO of Accor from January 15 next year, following the departure of Gilles Pélisson.

Citing “strategic divergences” between the board of directors and Pélisson, the board has appointed Hennequin as executive director with effect on December 1, 2010.

Accor said it was now “moving into a new phase of development”, even as it had successfully completed the demerger of the services and hotels business and was now back on track for growth.

Hennequin has been a director of Accor since 2009 and chairman & CEO of McDonald's Europe since 2005.

Pélisson will continue to act as chairman of the board of directors, in a non-executive capacity, until January. Yann Caillère will retain his position as deputy CEO.