Etam group hires former French minister Carole Grandjean as head of HR

The Etam group has drawn its new head of HR from the French ministerial ranks. The group that owns the Etam, Undiz, Maison 123 and Livy brands has appointed to the role Carole Grandjean, a member of Parliament for the Meurthe-et-Moselle constituency since 2017, who between July 2022 and January 2024 was France’s minister for education and professional training.

Grandjean, 40, holds a master’s 2 degree in human resources management from the University of Lille 1, and is a graduate of the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INTEFP), and of the graduate European Studies cycle at the National School of Administration (ENA). She began her career in banking, with the Caisse d’Epargne de Lorraine-Champagne-Ardennes in 2007, then joining Elior in 2015 as head of HR for Eastern France. The following year, she went into politics with the Renaissance party (formerly LREM).

At Etam, Grandjean has replaced Robin Sappe. “I see in [Grandjean] a dedicated woman and an expert who shares our group’s values of commitment and empathy. Her hands-on attitude, ability to work and the energy she puts into her activity will be undeniable assets,” said Laurent Milchior, head of the Etam group.

According to the L’Est Républicain newspaper, Grandjean will step down as MP to be replaced by Philippe Guillemard in autumn 2024, but she has already assumed her role at Etam.
 
The family-owned French group, which operates 1,336 stores in 57 countries (according to its website), employs more than 5,600 people worldwide. In fiscal 2023, the group’s revenue was €880.2 million.