French reseller Econocom appoints new CEO

The departing chief exec said the changes are part of the group’s plan to double in size by the end of the decade

Econocom has appointed Laurent Roudil as its new director and CEO, and Angel Benguigui as its new executive managing director.

The group said the new hires will support its aim to change dimension and enter a new phase of growth after a period of stabilisation and consolidation that has helped the group lay foundations for developing its traditional business lines.

Econocom last week posted stable revenues of €2.5bn in its preliminary full-year 2021 results.

The French reseller added it is underpinning this new phase of strong development with a change in governance by appointing two company veterans at its head.

Roudil takes the reins from the group's founder, Jean-Louis Bouchard, who will remain as chairman and continue to be involved in strategic M&A projects and corporate communication.

Bouchard established the Econocom Group in 1973 under the name Europe Computer Systems (ECS).

After acquiring Econocom, an American SMB in 1984, he combined ECS's international subsidiaries and renamed the new entity Econocom.

"With this strengthened governance, we are underlining our plan to double in size by the end of the decade," Bouchard said.

"I have full trust in Laurent Roudil and Angel Benguigui keeping alive the responsible entrepreneurial spirit that guides us and brings success."

Roudil first joined the Econocom group in 2015 as managing director of strategic accounts.

Three years later, he was appointed managing director of Services and promoted to group MD in January 2020.

Benguigui, who is moving into the role as executive managing director, has been with Econocom since 2006 as its country manager for Spain.

In 2019, after several years on the Econocom Group's executive committee , he was appointed chief financial officer.

The following year, he was named MD of Econocom Group.