In a bid for stable leadership Darty hands Régis Schultz the mantle of CEO, ahead of the previously announced 1 May 2013 date.
The former BUT CEO (and once 16th-best French tennis player) replaces acting CE Dominic Platt, who reverts back to Financial Director, while Darty France managing director Bruno Cremell should step down by "mutual agreement" by end May 2013 following hand over procedures.
Schultz replaces Thierry Falque-Pierrotin, who stepped down on September 2012 due to shareholding flack over his receiving a "golden hello" worth £720000 in shares, a gift of sorts later described as a "mistake."
The new CEO will find a Darty in the midst of changes and hard decisions-- recent "strategic review" brought about the closure of loss maker Darty Spain, where 43 stores employing 650 staff will stop trading by June 2013.
The retailer's struggling Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey divisions are probably also due for the chopping block, since analysts suggest Darty wants to focus on its core French, Belgian and Dutch businesses.