Hotel giant Accor has hired high-profile French politician Brune Poirson as its chief sustainability officer, reporting directly to chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin.

Brune Poirson’s wide-ranging new role at Accor will take effect from 5 May 2021.

Stepping up Accor’s sustainable development plans

As the company’s new chief sustainability officer, Poirson will endeavour to define, drive and monitor the commitment, strategy and implementation of its sustainable development action plans. She will also be responsible for the Accor Solidarity Foundation and All Heartists Fund.

“For more than 25 years, Accor has been at the forefront of efforts to address the environmental and human challenges related to the development of travel and tourism,” said Sébastien Bazin, Accor chairman and CEO. “With Brune Poirson’s appointment, I want us to scale up our commitments in terms of environmental protection, give fresh impetus to our efforts to support our local communities and uphold, wherever we operate, our strong beliefs and our actions.

“Taking positive action to support the environment and the men and women who drive our industry on a daily basis is a must. In this area too, I want us to set an example by being both daring and trailblazing.”

A proven dedication to sustainable development

Showing a longstanding commitment to sustainable development in both the private and public sector, Poirson previously championed the anti-waste law within the French government. Until recently, she was a member of the French parliament. In addition, she was secretary of state for the environmental transition for three years, and the first French person to be elected vice president of the United Nations Environment Assembly.

Poirson is a graduate of the London School of Economics, Sciences Po Aix and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She began her career with the UK-based innovation foundation Nesta before moving to the French Development Agency, Veolia group in India and a green start-up incubator in Boston.

“I am delighted to be joining a global leader in hospitality and to be able to contribute my experience and beliefs, and to take action,” said Poirson. “Through more than 5,100 hotels worldwide, hundreds of owners and partners, several hundred million guests and the experienced teams in the field, we have a wonderful opportunity to take practical and decisive action on a daily basis.

“In this new role, I want to help to further the vision that Accor has had since its creation – bringing to life positive, contemporary and responsible hospitality.”

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