Paradies Lagardère this week officially announced that Nikki Harland will become the president of its Retail Division, while Jens Baake is the new president of its Dining Division.
The two assume their new roles January 3, 2021.
Harland has been leading Paradies Lagardère’s talent management efforts for the past six years and was the executive sponsor for the 2018 integration efforts of the new Dining Division after Paradies Lagardère acquired Hojeij Branded Foods and Vino Volo.
Prior to joining Paradies Lagardère, Harland held leadership positions with Gap, Toys”R”Us and Turner Broadcasting System.
After joining the company as the chief operating officer for Paradies Lagardère’s Dining Division earlier this year, Baake is being elevated to the president of that division. Prior to joining the company Baake held key roles with the Palm Restaurant Group, MS Development, Meyers USA, Walt Disney World, Foxwoods Resort Casino and Ameristar Casinos.
Baake succeeds Regynald Washington who will retire at the end of the year but continue to serve as an advisor to the company.
Additional aspects of company realignment include the promotion of Claude Guillaume to senior vice president of restaurant operations and Greg Walton to vice president of human resources.
“As we navigate our industry’s current challenges and look to the future, this realignment of key leadership roles positions Paradies Lagardère to be the most successful, productive and agile company possible,” said Gregg Paradies, president and CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “I remain extremely proud and appreciative of how our leadership team has led during this pandemic while ‘walking the walk’ of the Paradies Lagardère family culture each and every day. Furthermore, I want to specifically thank Regynald Washington for his exceptional leadership of our Dining Division as it has been an absolute pleasure partnering with him during the past few years.”
