B&B HOTELS Strengthens Governance with Céline Vercollier as CEO, Paving the Path for Future Growth

Evolution of Governance at B&B HOTELS

On March 4, 2025, B&B HOTELS, the European leader in budget accommodation, announced significant changes in its governance structure. In a move aimed at reinforcing its leadership, the roles of President and General Director, previously held by Fabrice Collet, will now be separated. This strategic shift comes at a crucial time as the hotel chain celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, marking over three decades of growth, innovation, and excellence.

Céline Vercollier, who has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2017, has been appointed as the new General Director. Over the past eight years, Céline has been instrumental in driving the development and growth of B&B HOTELS. In her new position, she will focus on solidifying B&B HOTELS' presence as a leader in the budget accommodation market, with ambitions to expand internationally.

Fabrice Collet, who has been with B&B HOTELS since 2012 and served as General Director before being appointed President in 2019, will now dedicate his efforts to strategic diversification projects for the company. Under his leadership, B&B HOTELS has significantly enhanced its operational dynamics and expanded its market reach.

Joining alongside this governance transition is Damien Martin, who takes on the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Damien brings with him 25 years of finance experience, most recently as CFO for Babilou Group, and has a strong background in growth-driven environments internationally.

Fabrice Collet emphasized the importance of this new organizational structure by stating, "This change aims to strengthen B&B HOTELS' governance to meet our ambitious growth objectives both in our traditional European market, where we aspire to be the reference player in short-stay budget accommodation, and in our strategic diversifications towards new continents. I am thrilled to hand over the General Director reins to Céline. Her strategic vision, leadership, and deep understanding of our company will be crucial as we continue to innovate and expand."

Céline Vercollier expressed her gratitude for this new opportunity, stating, "I sincerely thank Fabrice for his trust. I’m immensely proud to take on the role of General Director for B&B HOTELS, a brand that has continuously provided a unique and innovative hotel offering since its inception 35 years ago. I am committed to driving our growth and innovation strategy forward, and our collective commitment will enable us to reach ambitious new objectives while continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients."

Founded in Brest in 1990, B&B HOTELS stands as one of Europe's most significant budget hotel chains, boasting a network of 883 hotels across 17 countries, including locations in Europe, Brazil, and the United States, with half of its hotels situated in France alone. Since 2019, the group's network has doubled, demonstrating its exponential growth trajectory.

Focusing on the value-for-money segment, B&B HOTELS is dedicated to providing its customers with a quality experience at the best possible price. The company's founding values encompass empathy, integrity, inclusion, simplicity, and entrepreneurship. In addition, B&B HOTELS is actively engaged in corporate social responsibility efforts, having recently obtained sustainability certification from the independent body SOCOTEC, which adds credibility and transparency to its social and environmental initiatives.

Since 2019, Goldman Sachs has served as the majority shareholder, solidifying its support for the company's ambitious expansion plans. With the recent governance changes, B&B HOTELS is poised for a promising future designed to meet evolving customer needs and market demands.

For more information, visit bbhotels.com.