PARIS – Galeries Lafayette continues to reshuffle its management ranks in the wake of the death of matriarch Ginette Moulin.
Following the appointment last week of Arthur Lemoine as chief executive officer, the French department store chain announced three senior appointments on Tuesday.
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Guillaume Houzé has been promoted to chief image and innovation officer, after 11 years as director of image and communications. He is also chairman of Lafayette Anticipations – Galeries Lafayette Corporate Foundation, and chairman of the ANDAM fashion prize, among others.
“With this new cross-functional role, the group is affirming its ambition to leverage creativity and technology as core pillars of its differentiation strategy,” Galeries Lafayette said in a statement.
Emmanuelle Greth, formerly director of human resources and sustainable development, has been named chief human resources and CSR officer. Meanwhile, Matthieu Caloni is taking over as chief financial officer after serving as head of finance, strategy and transformation since 2016.
The CFO role was previously held by Ugo Supino, who stepped down in June after 25 years at the company, signaling a handover to the fifth generation of the retailer’s founding family. Guillaume Houzé is the brother of Nicolas Houzé, executive chairman of the group. Lemoine is their cousin.
“By strengthening our governance around cross-functional functions and asserting clear lines of responsibility thanks to the expertise of Guillaume, Emmanuelle and Matthieu, we are laying the foundations for a more agile, consistent and forward-looking model,” Nicolas Houzé said.
“Through these choices, our ambition is to consolidate the Galeries Lafayette group’s positioning as a benchmark player in retail and creation, capable of anticipating the profound changes in our environment and carrying a sustainable, innovative and committed vision,” he added.
The group has adapted its governance as it seeks to redress its business. Though sales at the flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with revenues of 2 billion euros in 2024, the group’s regional network continues to suffer.
Galeries Lafayette sold 26 stores to embattled French businessman Michel Ohayon, while key holdings such as e-tailer La Redoute have racked up losses.
Moulin last year stepped down as chairwoman of Motier, the holding company of the Moulin Family, paving the way for her son-in-law Philippe Houzé to take the reins.
