Grape Hospitality, whose reference shareholder is Eurazeo alongside Essendi, has announced the appointment of Olivier Daguzan as President of the Group. The decision continues the strategy pursued by the European hotel operator and opens a new chapter in its history.
The appointment comes weeks after the completion of a €481 million refinancing with its long-standing banking partners, Crédit Agricole CIB, Natixis CIB and Company Générale. The transaction, of which €85 million is earmarked for renovations and energy performance, is intended to enable the Group to accelerate the transformation of its portfolio over the next four years.
A mandate focused on performance and portfolio transformation
As President, Olivier Daguzan will be tasked with continuing the momentum built by Grape Hospitality, strengthening its operational and financial performance, and supporting teams in delivering the Group’s strategic ambitions.
The Group has also reshaped its portfolio in recent years, notably with the sale of 22 hotels to B&B Hotels, illustrating a focus on refining and enhancing the value of its assets that now accompanies the appointment of its new President.
More than twenty-five years in hospitality
Olivier Daguzan has worked in the hospitality sector for more than twenty-five years. He spent the first part of his career with the Accor group, where he held several finance and operations roles in France and internationally, including leading finance departments in India, Egypt and Belgium.
He subsequently joined the executive team at Essendi, first overseeing Northern Europe, then global operations as Chief Operating Officer. This career path has given him recognised expertise in hotel operations, asset management, asset transformation and the leadership of international organisations.
A carefully managed governance transition
Olivier Daguzan succeeds Frédéric Josenhans, who will continue to support the Group until the end of the year as Senior Advisor to ensure the smoothest possible transition. Since founding Grape Hospitality, Frédéric Josenhans has played a major role in shaping its vision, strategy and model, helping to build a recognised European hotel operator combining operational excellence, transformation capability and sustainable value creation.
Pierre Larivière, Managing Partner at Eurazeo and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said he was pleased to entrust the presidency of Grape Hospitality to Olivier Daguzan. He said Daguzan’s career, operational expertise and strategic vision were major assets for supporting the Group through this new phase, adding that he had full confidence in his ability to continue the momentum under way, accelerate value creation and calmly prepare the future of Grape Hospitality alongside its teams, for the benefit of all its stakeholders.
Turning to his predecessor, Larivière said that since Grape Hospitality’s founding, Frédéric Josenhans had carried a vision that had done much to make the Group the recognised player it is today, and that his commitment and leadership had been decisive throughout its journey. He thanked him warmly for this major contribution.
The new President’s priorities
Olivier Daguzan, President of Grape Hospitality, said he was honoured by the trust placed in him in taking on the presidency of Grape Hospitality. He noted that the Group had solid fundamentals, engaged teams, a quality asset portfolio and shareholders fully committed alongside it. He added that, together with all employees, the Group would pursue its roadmap with the same ambition: strengthening operational excellence, accelerating the transformation of its portfolio and creating sustainable value for its employees, brands, partners and investors.
Grape Hospitality is a European hotel group managing a diversified portfolio of hotels across the continent. Backed by committed shareholders, including Essendi, itself engaged in refocusing its portfolio on Europe, the Group draws on strong banking partnerships to carry out its growth and renovation projects.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Grape Hospitality appoints Olivier Daguzan as Group President
Daguzan succeeds Frédéric Josenhans, who remains as Senior Advisor through year-end
Appointment follows a €481 million refinancing completed with Crédit Agricole CIB, Natixis CIB and Company Générale
Over 25 years in hospitality, including senior finance and operations roles at Accor and Essendi
Grape Hospitality is backed by shareholders Eurazeo and Essendi
Mandate centres on operational performance, portfolio transformation and long-term value creation
