What happened
Accor's board has hired a law firm to investigate CEO Sébastien Bazin's conduct following a whistleblower report circulated among board members. The probe, which concluded recently, examined Accor's dealings with Paris Society (owned by Bazin's associate Laurent de Gourcuff) and allegations of favoritism in appointing a woman to a senior position. The woman is in a long-term romantic relationship with Bazin, though this specific detail was not in the initial allegations. The investigation confirmed no breaches of legal or fiduciary obligations. Bazin announced his departure no later than May 2028, coinciding with the ongoing investigation