Latest news with #Lemoine
Rudaw Net
09-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
France hails Iraq ties, stresses Kurdish inclusion in Syria's future
Also in Middle East Erdogan offers to facilitate lasting Israel-Iran peace Ankara backs Turkmen in dispute over Kirkuk mayoralty Turkish intel chief discusses PKK with Kurdish leaders in Erbil Syrian government under fire for arresting Kurdish journalist A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - France's foreign ministry on Tuesday described relations with Iraq as 'very dynamic and very dense,' hailing the strategic partnership between Baghdad and Paris, as well as France's ongoing support for Kurdish rights in Syria. 'Iraq has had a very important and dynamic role in the region and the Baghdad Conference was a very important step in that direction,' Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson for France's foreign ministry, told Rudaw's Shahyan Tahseen in an interview. He was referring to the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, first held in 2021 with support from Paris and attended by regional heads of state. In March, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron, where the two leaders discussed the possibility of holding the third edition of the conference. In January 2023, Sudani and Macron signed several strategic agreements in Paris aimed at boosting cooperation across various sectors. 'We are keen on diversifying the presence of French business in Iraq,' Lemoine said. Bargasht Akreyi, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region's Board of Investment, told Rudaw on Monday that around 60 French companies are expected to visit and invest in the Kurdistan Region in the coming days. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral ties between Erbil and Paris, create thousands of job opportunities, and pave the way for French brands to expand into the Region. French, Iraqi, and Kurdish officials and business leaders met in Paris in May at a major trade and investment forum, where Baghdad and Erbil presented Iraq as a stable, investment-friendly destination. Baghdad and Erbil are actively working to diversify their economy by bolstering the private sector. As of May 2024, French investments in the Kurdistan Region totaled around $3 billion across multiple sectors, according to France's Consul General in Erbil Yann Braem. 'We are very keen on strengthening the ties between Iraqi Kurdistan and France,' Lemoine emphasized. France has long-standing ties with the Kurdish people, dating back to the 1980s when then-First Lady Danielle Mitterrand became an outspoken advocate for Kurds oppressed under Saddam Hussein. She played a key role in establishing the no-fly zone over the Kurdistan Region after the 1991 Gulf War, which enabled the Kurds to establish an autonomous administration. Mitterrand remains affectionately known as the 'Mother of the Kurds' and inaugurated the first Kurdish parliament in 1992. Following the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, France was one of the first countries to open a consulate in Erbil. It also supported Kurdish and Iraqi forces during the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), which began in 2014. France has also taken an active role in Syria, backing a political transition process while urging inclusion and respect for Syria's ethnic and religious diversity. 'France has been supporting the news authorities and Damascus, but this support, as we always said, is only conditioned to one thing: the respect of the diversity of Syria and the ethnological diversity, the religious diversity, and the political diversity,' Lemoine said. 'We have always said to the new authorities in Damascus that this new democratic transition that they are leading at the moment should be completely inclusive and that should include all the different communities in Syria and particularly the Kurds,' he added. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in April met with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi, urging respect for Kurdish rights in the country. France has been an active member of the US-led coalition against ISIS and recently joined efforts to facilitate intra-Kurdish dialogue in northeast Syria (Rojava), where tensions among rival Kurdish political parties have stalled progress. In late April, a group of Kurdish political parties in Syria issued a rare joint statement calling for a decentralized, democratic system that guarantees Kurdish rights and enables national dialogue. The Syrian presidency condemned the move, arguing it contradicted a March 10 agreement signed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Abdi. That agreement recognized Kurds as an integral part of Syria, declared a nationwide ceasefire, and laid out steps to integrate the SDF into Syria's national army and government institutions.
Fashion Network
08-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Galeries Lafayette appoints Arthur Lemoine as CEO
Arthur Lemoine has taken on a significant new challenge within French department store group Galeries Lafayette. After three years as head of products and purchasing, Lemoine has now replaced his cousin Nicolas Houzé as CEO. His appointment signals the group's intention to keep its operational running in the hands of the members of its founding family. Houzé, who was named CEO in 2013, will now focus on his role as president of the Galeries Lafayette group's executive committee, to which he was appointed last year. 'After over 10 years characterised by several transformations and challenges, Galeries Lafayette is ready to start a new chapter under the aegis of Arthur Lemoine,' said Houzé, who announced last year that the group would be investing €400 million to transform its stores by 2030. 'Arthur is extremely familiar with the challenges facing the group, and its objectives. His strategic outlook, his ability to generate team spirit and his knowledge of the fashion and retail sectors make him the ideal leader to drive our new efforts. I am convinced that he will be able to steer Galeries Lafayette along an even bolder trajectory, working closely with our staff, and I wish him every success in the pursuit of this mission,' added Houzé. Lemoine has in-depth knowledge of the group, where he has been working for the past 15 years. He was first directly involved as perfumery buyer for the BHV Marais department store, and later led the perfumery category for BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette. He then took charge of the food category, and oversaw the introduction in the Marais district of the Eataly restaurant chain, which recently announced it is closing. Lemoine took the helm of the watches-jewellery business for the brands of the Louis Pion -Royal Quartz group in 2018, before assuming the role of head of purchasing at Galeries Lafayette. In this role, he spearheaded an assortment revamp for the luxury, designer and contemporary fashion sections within the Parisian department store's boulevard Haussmann flagship, a task for which he had many opportunities of interacting with brands and the media. Galeries Lafayette's boulevard Haussmann branch is said to have topped the €2 billion revenue mark in the group's latest fiscal year. Lemoine is a member of Galeries Lafayette's executive committee, and he runs Lafayette Anticipations, the group's corporate foundation. 'It is with profound pride and great humility that I take this new responsibility within Galeries Lafayette, succeeding Nicolas,' said Lemoine in a press release. 'For over 15 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the development of this unique family business venture that showcases the finest creativity to the widest audience by promoting a specific vision of French art of living. I am fully aware of the responsibility I now carry, and I am committed to continuing our mission with dedication and passion, in order to promote an ambitious, audacious, and forward-looking retail experience, in France and beyond our borders,' he added. Lemoine will be in charge of a department store fleet that includes 57 branches in France, only 19 of them owned by the Galeries Lafayette group with the remaining 38 operated by franchisees. The group also has 11 branches with partners outside France, some of them already active, like those in China, or in the pipeline, as that in New Delhi, India.
Fashion Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Galeries Lafayette appoints Arthur Lemoine as CEO
Arthur Lemoine has taken on a significant new challenge within French department store group Galeries Lafayette. After three years as head of products and purchasing, Lemoine has now replaced his cousin Nicolas Houzé as CEO. His appointment signals the group's intention to keep its operational running in the hands of the members of its founding family. Houzé, who was named CEO in 2013, will now focus on his role as president of the Galeries Lafayette group's executive committee, to which he was appointed last year. 'After over 10 years characterised by several transformations and challenges, Galeries Lafayette is ready to start a new chapter under the aegis of Arthur Lemoine,' said Houzé, who announced last year that the group would be investing €400 million to transform its stores by 2030. 'Arthur is extremely familiar with the challenges facing the group, and its objectives. His strategic outlook, his ability to generate team spirit and his knowledge of the fashion and retail sectors make him the ideal leader to drive our new efforts. I am convinced that he will be able to steer Galeries Lafayette along an even bolder trajectory, working closely with our staff, and I wish him every success in the pursuit of this mission,' added Houzé. Lemoine has in-depth knowledge of the group, where he has been working for the past 15 years. He was first directly involved as perfumery buyer for the BHV Marais department store, and later led the perfumery category for BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette. He then took charge of the food category, and oversaw the introduction in the Marais district of the Eataly restaurant chain, which recently announced it is closing. Lemoine took the helm of the watches-jewellery business for the brands of the Louis Pion -Royal Quartz group in 2018, before assuming the role of head of purchasing at Galeries Lafayette. In this role, he spearheaded an assortment revamp for the luxury, designer and contemporary fashion sections within the Parisian department store's boulevard Haussmann flagship, a task for which he had many opportunities of interacting with brands and the media. Galeries Lafayette's boulevard Haussmann branch is said to have topped the €2 billion revenue mark in the group's latest fiscal year. Lemoine is a member of Galeries Lafayette's executive committee, and he runs Lafayette Anticipations, the group's corporate foundation. 'It is with profound pride and great humility that I take this new responsibility within Galeries Lafayette, succeeding Nicolas,' said Lemoine in a press release. 'For over 15 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the development of this unique family business venture that showcases the finest creativity to the widest audience by promoting a specific vision of French art of living. I am fully aware of the responsibility I now carry, and I am committed to continuing our mission with dedication and passion, in order to promote an ambitious, audacious, and forward-looking retail experience, in France and beyond our borders,' he added. Lemoine will be in charge of a department store fleet that includes 57 branches in France, only 19 of them owned by the Galeries Lafayette group with the remaining 38 operated by franchisees. The group also has 11 branches with partners outside France, some of them already active, like those in China, or in the pipeline, as that in New Delhi, India.
Fashion Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Galeries Lafayette appoints Arthur Lemoine as CEO
Arthur Lemoine has taken on a significant new challenge within French department store group Galeries Lafayette. After three years as head of products and purchasing, Lemoine has now replaced his cousin Nicolas Houzé as CEO. His appointment signals the group's intention to keep its operational running in the hands of the members of its founding family. Houzé, who was named CEO in 2013, will now focus on his role as president of the Galeries Lafayette group's executive committee, to which he was appointed last year. 'After over 10 years characterised by several transformations and challenges, Galeries Lafayette is ready to start a new chapter under the aegis of Arthur Lemoine,' said Houzé, who announced last year that the group would be investing €400 million to transform its stores by 2030. 'Arthur is extremely familiar with the challenges facing the group, and its objectives. His strategic outlook, his ability to generate team spirit and his knowledge of the fashion and retail sectors make him the ideal leader to drive our new efforts. I am convinced that he will be able to steer Galeries Lafayette along an even bolder trajectory, working closely with our staff, and I wish him every success in the pursuit of this mission,' added Houzé. Lemoine has in-depth knowledge of the group, where he has been working for the past 15 years. He was first directly involved as perfumery buyer for the BHV Marais department store, and later led the perfumery category for BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette. He then took charge of the food category, and oversaw the introduction in the Marais district of the Eataly restaurant chain, which recently announced it is closing. Lemoine took the helm of the watches-jewellery business for the brands of the Louis Pion -Royal Quartz group in 2018, before assuming the role of head of purchasing at Galeries Lafayette. In this role, he spearheaded an assortment revamp for the luxury, designer and contemporary fashion sections within the Parisian department store's boulevard Haussmann flagship, a task for which he had many opportunities of interacting with brands and the media. Galeries Lafayette's boulevard Haussmann branch is said to have topped the €2 billion revenue mark in the group's latest fiscal year. Lemoine is a member of Galeries Lafayette's executive committee, and he runs Lafayette Anticipations, the group's corporate foundation. 'It is with profound pride and great humility that I take this new responsibility within Galeries Lafayette, succeeding Nicolas,' said Lemoine in a press release. 'For over 15 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the development of this unique family business venture that showcases the finest creativity to the widest audience by promoting a specific vision of French art of living. I am fully aware of the responsibility I now carry, and I am committed to continuing our mission with dedication and passion, in order to promote an ambitious, audacious, and forward-looking retail experience, in France and beyond our borders,' he added. Lemoine will be in charge of a department store fleet that includes 57 branches in France, only 19 of them owned by the Galeries Lafayette group with the remaining 38 operated by franchisees. The group also has 11 branches with partners outside France, some of them already active, like those in China, or in the pipeline, as that in New Delhi, India.
Fashion Network
07-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Galeries Lafayette appoints Arthur Lemoine as CEO
Lemoine has in-depth knowledge of the group, where he has been working for the past 15 years. He was first directly involved as perfumery buyer for the BHV Marais department store, and later led the perfumery category for BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette. He then took charge of the food category, and oversaw the introduction in the Marais district of the Eataly restaurant chain, which recently announced it is closing. Lemoine took the helm of the watches-jewellery business for the brands of the Louis Pion -Royal Quartz group in 2018, before assuming the role of head of purchasing at Galeries Lafayette. In this role, he spearheaded an assortment revamp for the luxury, designer and contemporary fashion sections within the Parisian department store's boulevard Haussmann flagship, a task for which he had many opportunities of interacting with brands and the media. Galeries Lafayette's boulevard Haussmann branch is said to have topped the €2 billion revenue mark in the group's latest fiscal year. Lemoine is a member of Galeries Lafayette's executive committee, and he runs Lafayette Anticipations, the group's corporate foundation. 'It is with profound pride and great humility that I take this new responsibility within Galeries Lafayette, succeeding Nicolas,' said Lemoine in a press release. 'For over 15 years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the development of this unique family business venture that showcases the finest creativity to the widest audience by promoting a specific vision of French art of living. I am fully aware of the responsibility I now carry, and I am committed to continuing our mission with dedication and passion, in order to promote an ambitious, audacious, and forward-looking retail experience, in France and beyond our borders,' he added. Lemoine will be in charge of a department store fleet that includes 57 branches in France, only 19 of them owned by the Galeries Lafayette group with the remaining 38 operated by franchisees. The group also has 11 branches with partners outside France, some of them already active, like those in China, or in the pipeline, as that in New Delhi, India.
