The Nuance Group has appointed Jean-Paul Bonnel to the position of Ceo Europe following the promotion of Carlo Bernasconi from this post to the position of Executive Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Marketing

earlier this year.
According to Nuance, Bonnel joins from France Printemps Group and will take up his new position in January 2006. Bonnel holds a Master?s Degree in Business Administration from Paris IX Dauphine University and his background includes experience with Marks & Spencer, where he held different senior operational roles in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the UK.
Bonnel currently holds the position at Printemps of Executive Director in charge of its chain stores, affiliates and development in France and abroad. This comprises 26 stores, 3000 employees and a turnover of E600m.
Roberto Graziani, President and Ceo of Nuance said: ‘This appointment is in line with our clearly defined strategy to put retail talent in charge of our operations at all levels.
‘Jean-Paul Bonnel brings with him an extraordinary experience in the retail field, gained over many years with leading retail companies in diverse countries. I am confident that Jean-Paul will be instrumental in further developing our European organisation to meet the increasing demands of a truly exciting market.’
Graziani also thanked Carlo Bernasconi for shouldering the double responsibility of his old and new functions over the past months.
Meanwhile, Nuance has also reported that its first food and beverage Brek Ristorante outlet, which opened at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 last November, has had a successful year. Nuance says the Italian concept outlet currently has an average of over 500 customers a day. Ken Tse, Executive General Manager of Nuance-Watson Singapore said:’ It has been a wonderfully successful opening year. Brek has met our expectations and we want to thank all who have made it possible.’
Comment: This new appointment is a significant one considering that Nuance's European Region is the one area that has been flat in recent years. The Copenhagen, Stockholm and Antalya airport businesses have all come under pressure in recent years.