Christophe Thoral assumes the chairmanship of Lagardère Studios

After eight years at the head of Lagardère Studios, Takis Candilis has decided to join an international television fiction production facility in the near future, thus devoting himself to a new business venture.

Denis Olivennes, chairman of Lagardère Active, has named Christophe Thoral as chairman of Lagardère Studios to replace Mr Candilis.

Mr Thoral worked alongside Mr Candilis as development director, and then as Chief Executive Officer of Lagardère Studios, from the company’s inception in 2008 until 2014, when he was appointed Chief Financial & Strategy Officer of Lagardère Active.

Denis Olivennes, chairman of Lagardère Active, commented as follows: “I would like to extend my warmest thanks to Takis, who created Lagardère Studios and made it the French leader in audiovisual production.  To Christophe, who worked alongside Takis throughout this adventure, I wish all possible success in pursuing these efforts and in making Lagardère Studios a major player in Europe and in the online-productions sector.

Takis Candilis said: “I would like to thank Arnaud Lagardère and Denis Olivennes for the opportunity they gave me to build Lagardère Studios and make it the French leader in TV production. The foundations for international development have now been laid. This is the start of a new phase for Lagardère Studios and myself. I am delighted to pass the torch to Christophe, who has worked with me on this venture from the start.”