President out at Carré Noir

The majority shareholders of Paris-based group Carré Noir have ousted its president Gérard Caron and replaced him with Jean-Louis Azizollah, director general since 1986.

The move by Rothschild and Credit Lyonnais is intended to improve profitability. Staff expect further changes, though Azizollah says none are planned.

Caron founded the group 25 years ago and was a minority shareholder. His departure has disappointed some Carré Noir staff.

The group’s expansion continues. “We want to be the biggest Anglo-Saxon group, and we are surveying all design markets,” says Azizollah. Caron was unavailable for comment.