Easyfairs Group has announced that, with immediate effect, Eric Everard is assuming the role of chairman. Following this, Anne Lafère (left above) and Matt Benyon (right above) will now serve as Group CEOs.
Lafère was previously Easyfairs Group COO, and Benyon was the CEO for the Group’s UK and Global (UKG) division.
Eric Everard, who founded Easyfairs in 200, said: “They are both very strong and motivating leaders with very complementary skill sets.”
“In my new role as chairman, I will work to validate the Group’s vision and overall strategic agenda. I will play an active role in business development, working with fellow entrepreneurs to convince them of the benefits of working with the Group, and supporting the Group’s overall growth plan,” Everard added.
Lafère said: “Despite the success in bouncing back from nearly two years when live events were impossible across Europe, Easyfairs, and the industry in general, faces numerous challenges in these turbulent times.”
In addition to driving a recovery in numbers of visitors and exhibitors, Lafère cites Easyfairs’ goal to launch 15 or more new events per year, the integration of new acquisitions, talent acquisition and retention, and Easyfairs’ ESG strategy and net zero roadmap.
Benyon, who has already worked with Lafère for 13 years, commented: “We will be dividing our responsibilities based on competence areas rather than by geographies. My focus will be revenues, growth drivers and M&A, while Anne will be focused on talent, technology & marketing, ESG and customer experience.”
The duo will share responsibilities for strategy, legal and financial issues and will be supported by the Heads of Region and the management team at Easyfairs HQ in Brussels.
“Diversity of experience will be a positive asset in the co-CEO model, especially with Eric’s wise counsel on new ideas,” Lafère concluded.
