Club Med Holding has announced the appointment of Stéphane Maquaire as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The decision follows a rigorous succession and evaluation process, with Henri Giscard d’Estaing, who led Club Med for over two decades, playing a key advisory role in the transition.
Maquaire, a French national, will lead Club Med Holding from Paris, preserving the company’s strong French heritage while accelerating its international growth strategy. His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic brand, as Club Med aims to capitalize on evolving trends in global travel and hospitality.
With a rich leadership background in international consumer brands and real estate, Stéphane Maquaire brings a proven track record of operational excellence and strategic innovation. He joins Club Med from Carrefour, where he served as Executive Director for Brazil and Latin America, overseeing a €20 billion business and leading transformative initiatives including the integration of Walmart and the expansion of the Atacadao format.
In his statement, Maquaire said, “Club Med is a global icon — a culture, a spirit, and a legacy of joy and belonging. I’m honoured to lead this unique brand into its next phase of success, building on the remarkable foundation laid by Henri Giscard d’Estaing.” He emphasized the importance of Club Med’s values—freedom, kindness, inclusion, and its French identity—as central to the brand’s global appeal.
Xiaoliang Xu, Co-CEO of Fosun International and Chairman of Fosun Tourism Group, praised the appointment, stating, “Stéphane’s international leadership experience and deep consumer insight make him ideally positioned to accelerate Club Med’s growth and innovation worldwide.”
The Board also expressed its gratitude to Henri Giscard d’Estaing for his visionary leadership, which transformed Club Med into a modern, global hospitality brand with a distinct French touch.
In a move to further strengthen Club Med’s global governance and diversity, two new members—Philippe Heim and Takuya Yamada—will join the Board. Heim brings decades of leadership experience in banking and finance, while Yamada, Chairman of IDERA Capital, has played a key role in managing Club Med’s Japan resorts. Their appointments highlight the company’s international footprint and commitment to broad-based global leadership.
A graduate of École des Ponts et Chaussées, Maquaire began his career at Arthur Andersen and held senior leadership roles at Unibail-Rodamco, Monoprix, Vivarte, and Manor before joining Carrefour. Widely respected for his approachable leadership style, multicultural expertise, and commitment to sustainability and innovation, Maquaire is expected to lead Club Med into a new era of profitable growth and global resonance.
