Celio appoints David Teboul managing director in charge of operations

Senior management change for French menswear retailer Celio. Managing director Joannes Soënen, who joined Celio in September 2020 to spearhead its recovery, has left the company. He has opted to devote himself to “new entrepreneurial projects,” stated the menswear chain founded in 1978 and led by CEO Sébastien Bismuth. Soënen has been replaced by David Teboul, already part of Celio’s senior executive team, who has been appointed managing director in charge of operations.

A graduate of ESSEC business school, Teboul joined Celio six years ago, and previously held the position of retail director, having also been in charge of the chain’s international business. During his career, he worked for French teenage fashion retailer Jennyfer, from 2009 to 2016, after a stint at womenswear label Sinequanone.

Bismuth hailed “the job done by Joannes Soënen, who has worked efficiently and closely with our staff to create the conditions for Celio to become profitable again. The company is now on a positive trajectory, it is competitive again, and its staff is more than committed to the Celio project’s success.”

Celio operates 374 stores and is still owned by founding shareholders Marc and Laurent Grosman. The company exited a job protection procedure in October 2021. The related recovery plan included a revamp of Celio’s brand image and product range, while a new store concept with on-display inventory was unveiled six months ago. In 2020, Celio carried out a restructuring operation, resulting in the slashing of 383 jobs and the closing down of 102 stores.

Celio appoints David Teboul managing director in charge of operations

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