Destination Maternity appoints Pierre-André Mestre and Jean-Claude Jacomin to Board of Directors

By

Robin Driver

Published
Apr 3, 2018

Moorestown, New Jersey-based maternity apparel retailer Destination Maternity Corporation announced on Tuesday the appointment of Orchestra-Prémaman Chairman Pierre-André Mestre and international C-Suite executive Jean-Claude Jacomin to its Board, and also revealed the launch of a new Business Initiatives Committee.

The new appointments bring the total number of members on the company’s Board of Directors up to six. The new Business Initiatives Committee consists of Mestre, Jacomin, Destination Maternity Board Chairman Barry Erdos and interim CEO Melissa Payner-Gregor, and will work closely with the company’s senior management to make recommendations concerning innovations aiming to improve performance and sales.


As well as being Chairman of the Board at French maternity and childcare brand Orchestra-Prémaman S.A., Pierre-André Mestre brings 25 years of experience in the children’s apparel business to his new position. Prior to founding Orchestra-Prémaman, which now operates over 565 stores in more than 40 countries, Mestre worked as marketing and development manager at the German subsidiary of French kidswear company Kidiliz Group.

“Pierre is a natural choice for the Board. He represents our largest stockholder group, and as Chairman and founder of Orchestra-Prémaman, he understands the opportunities and challenges of operating a childrenswear and maternity business,” stated Barry Erdos in a release.
 
“I am extremely excited to join Destination's Board of Directors and assist the Company in capitalizing on its leadership position in maternity apparel in the United States,” said Mestre. “I believe there are many opportunities that are available to Destination Maternity to drive new sales and expand operating margin and look forward to assisting the Company and my fellow Board members in achieving this goal.”
 
Jean-Claude Jacomin is the president and founder of French consulting firm Glocal Performance Consulting SAS, which advises clients on domestic and international expansion. Prior to this, he served in positions of increasing responsibility over a 13-year period spent at Canadian juvenile product and bicycle manufacturer Dorel Industries Inc., ultimately becoming group president & CEO of the Juvenile Segment. In this position he oversaw more than $1.2 billion in sales and 7500 employees across 25 countries.
 
“Jean-Claude is equally suited given his track record of success, including as Group President of Juvenile products at Dorel, where he guided the turnaround of the business in North America and successfully implemented new product, marketing, and supply chain strategies,” explained Erdos.
 
“I am delighted to join the Destination Maternity Board and believe my experience as a senior leader in the areas of product, marketing and supply chain will benefit the Company and its stockholders.  I look forward to working with the full Board to help the Company achieve its potential in a rapidly evolving retail environment,” said Jacoman.
 
Destination Maternity also announced that it has entered into a support agreement with Orchestra-Prémaman and its affiliates, to be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Both Mestre and Jacoman feature among the company's slate of six nominees for election to the Board at Destination Maternity’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.