Yves Rocher and Petit Bateau get new leadership
Roberta HERRERA
On September 1, Guillaume Darrousez, the CEO of Petit BateauYves Rocher
Indeed, on June 16, the group, which includes brands like Yves Rocher, Petit Bateau, Arbonne, and Sabon, announced a change in its governance structure. Bris Rocher, CEO of the Rocher Group since 2009, entrusted the group’s general management to Jean-David Schwartz
September 1, Guillaume Darrousez officially succeeds Jean-David Schwartz as the CEO of Yves Rocher, which boasts nearly 2,900 stores globally (about 667 in France). This task could prove intricate, as at the beginning of 2023, Yves Rocher announced the elimination of 300 positions in France over three years, primarily at the Ploërmel plant in Brittany.
In May, the brand also disclosed the closure of its Swiss market boutiques, a situation that also affects Austria and Germany, according to the DPA news agency. It’s worth noting that Guillaume Darrousez will also be responsible for the Dr. Pierre Ricaud brand and Global Strategic Insights.
Darrousez, who joined the Rocher Group in 2015, is familiar with the beauty brand, having been its international CEO from 2018 to 2020 before taking the helm at Petit Bateau. Over three years, he bolstered the fashion brand’s CSR efforts by accelerating the second-hand market and venturing into rentals.
After commencing his career in consultancy at the Boston Consulting GroupKeringLa RedouteCyrillusVertbaudet
At Petit Bateau, Alexandre Rubin will succeed Darrousez as CEO. Rubin joined the Rocher Group in 2015 as international retail director at Yves Rocher. Since February 2018, he has held the position of CEO for France and Benelux at the cosmetic brand.
Rubin, who began his career at Marks and Spencer, served as the regional director of the home decor brand from 2002 to 2004. He then spent two years as director of operations for Starbucks Coffee in France. In 2008, he joined LVMHSephoraCamaieu
In 2021, the Rocher Group’s revenue amounted to 2.4 billion euros, experiencing a decline of 355 million euros between 2019 and 2021. The Yves Rocher brands accounts for nearly half of the group’s sales.
