Interview with Pierre Esnée, President of YOU Famille Hôtelière — Legacy Forum
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At the Legacy Forum 2025, organized by Hubfinance, we had the privilege of speaking with Pierre Esnée, President of YOU Famille Hôtelière. As a second-generation member of this family business, he shares his vision for the hospitality industry, his growth ambitions, and the importance of family heritage in the modern era.
Redefining Family Identity and Governance
President Pierre Esnée discusses the underlying reasons for the name change to "YOU Famille Hôtelière," which aims to capitalize on the hotel brand and affirm the family identity at the heart of the group. He details the governance structure, where roles are clearly divided among family members to ensure complementarity: his son Thomas, in charge of hotel development and construction, and his wife, who oversees decoration and design. This structure allows the group to expand actively, with projects ranging from Normandy to Hungary, including ambitious renovations such as the Hôtel-Dieu in Rennes.
The Art of “Atypical” Succession
Pierre Esnée emphasizes the importance of passing on family values and not just financial inheritance, an approach he describes as “atypical” due to its boldness and forward-thinking nature. He attests to the success of this ongoing transition, inspired by the example of his own father, where the art of “gradually stepping back” is crucial to allowing the new generation to flourish and shape the group’s future through its own evolution and with the support of the right people.
About YOU Famille Hôtelière
YOU Famille Hôtelière is a French family-owned group specializing in the hospitality sector. They are active in the construction and operation of hotels across various segments, ranging from economy to luxury, by partnering with international brands (Accor Group, Marriott) or by developing their own brand, YOU Hotels. The group manages the entire lifecycle of hotel projects.
Read the full interview to understand how the succession of a family-owned hotel group can become a strategic focus for growth and sustainability.
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