In line with measures to simplify Accor’s corporate governance, and as part of his new responsibilities as Chairman and CEO, Gilles Pelisson has streamlined his chain of command with the aim of accelerating the decision-making process in a time of recession, improving the responsiveness of teams across the organization and maintaining the group on course.

After the appointment of Jacques Stern as senior executive vice president, the various operating and corporate responsibilities in the Accor Hospitality business have been redefined as follows:
The number of large operating regions has been reduced from five to three: “Europe, Middle East and Africa,” “Americas” and “Asia-Pacific”.

Yann Caillere will lead the Europe region, which now includes Northern and Southern Europe, with 56 countries and 2,300 hotels. He will continue to oversee the Middle East and Africa, and remains in charge of Sofitel Worldwide.

Building on his long track record of achievement in Europe and his previous North American experience, Michael Flaxman will head a new region called the Americas, combining the 1,000 Motel6/Studio 6, the Novotel properties in the United States and Canada, as well as the hotels in Latin America.

Michael Issenberg will continue to manage operations in the Asia-Pacific region, with 370 hotels in 16 countries. The region, the world’s most highly populated, extends from India to the Pacific Islands.

“Hotel marketing” and “sales and distribution” have been combined into a single corporate department. Based on his experience in both conventional and online marketing and distribution, Jean-Luc Chretien will be in charge of marketing and the hotel brands, in addition to distribution.

Under the new structure of Accor’s operating regions, Accor North America joins Accor Latin America, with Olivier Poirot continuing to lead North America, and Roland de Bonadona leading Latin America. Both Poirot and Bonadona will report to Michael Flaxman under the restructured organization of Accor Americas.

With Gilles Pelisson, Chairman and CEO, the executive committee now comprises nine members:
Jacques Stern, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in charge of Finance, Strategy, Hotel Development, Information Systems and Purchasing for Accor Hospitality
Yann Caillere, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Hospitality Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel Worldwide in charge of Hotel Design and Construction Worldwide
Michael Flaxman, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Hospitality Americas
Michael Issenberg, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Asia-Pacific for Accor Services
Serge Ragozin, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Services Worldwide for the support functions
Jean-Luc, Chretien Executive Vice President, Accor Hospitality Marketing and Distribution
Cathy Kopp, Executive Vice President, Human Resources
Pascal Quint, Corporate Secretary and Secretary of the Board of Directors

Philippe Adam and Eric Lepleux are leaving the group after three years of significant contributions to Accor’s growth and development.