Lagardère Travel Retail Strengthens Executive Team with Appointment of Frédéric Chevalier as CEO

Lagardère Travel Retail Strengthens Executive Team with Appointment of Frédéric Chevalier as CEO

(IN BRIEF) Lagardère Travel Retail has appointed Frédéric Chevalier as its new CEO, effective July 1, 2025. Working alongside Chairman and CEO Dag Rasmussen, Chevalier will take full charge of global operations. With nearly 20 years of experience at the company, he played a key role in its strategic transformation and business integration. This leadership shift comes amid strong company performance, including 16% sales growth in 2024 and global expansion across Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. The appointment aims to ensure continued innovation, operational excellence, and value creation for partners and travelers worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 19-Jun-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Lagardère Travel Retail has announced the appointment of Frédéric Chevalier as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2025. Chevalier will assume this key leadership position alongside Dag Rasmussen, who continues to serve as Chairman and CEO. The decision follows a recommendation by Dag Rasmussen and was formally approved by Arnaud Lagardère, Chairman and CEO of Lagardère SA.

Having joined the company in 2006, Frédéric Chevalier brings nearly two decades of experience within Lagardère Travel Retail, including his recent role as Deputy CEO since July 2024. In his new capacity, he will oversee the entirety of the company’s global operations, with direct accountability for the Executive Committee and all its activities.

Arnaud Lagardère emphasized Chevalier’s instrumental role in reshaping the company’s strategic landscape: “Frédéric has been pivotal to the successful integration of our three business divisions and in implementing our long-term vision. His leadership, both recognized internally and externally, makes him the ideal figure to support Dag Rasmussen in guiding Lagardère Travel Retail through its next chapter of sustained growth.”

Dag Rasmussen welcomed the appointment, stating, “Frédéric’s strategic insight, deep understanding of our business, and transformative leadership have been crucial to our achievements. His ability to lead with clarity and vision will be vital as we further strengthen our corporate culture and pursue new opportunities in a rapidly evolving marketplace.”

Expressing his appreciation and ambition, Frédéric Chevalier commented, “It is a privilege to step into this role and help shape the next phase of our journey. With the continued trust of Arnaud and Dag, and the dedication of our global teams, I am confident in our ability to uphold our strategy while staying agile and responsive to change. Our focus remains on delivering value to our partners and creating memorable experiences for travelers.”

The leadership transition comes amid a period of sustained momentum for Lagardère Travel Retail. Over the past decade, the company has nearly tripled its revenue, with 2024 alone recording a robust 16% year-on-year sales growth. In recent months, the company has expanded its footprint across Europe, including strategic wins in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Belfast, and Nice, and was selected to operate duty-free services at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. International expansion has also accelerated, with new openings in markets such as Lima, Auckland, Kigali, Antalya, and Tirana.

Lagardère Travel Retail’s continued success is driven by a bold development strategy, effective execution, and a dedicated global workforce. The leadership team, under Chevalier and Rasmussen, is set to build on these achievements to further consolidate the company’s position as a leading global partner in travel retail.

Founded in 1992, Lagardère operates in over 45 countries with more than 33,000 employees and reported €8.94 billion in revenue in 2024. The group operates primarily through two core divisions—Lagardère Publishing and Lagardère Travel Retail—along with additional activities in media, live entertainment, and sports.

Media Contacts:
presse@lagardere.fr

SOURCE: Lagardère