IT outsourcer Capgemini has removed its chief operating
officer after he was interviewed for another job.
Capgemini has showed COO Pierre Danon the door, after only seven
months in the job. Danon was appointed last November but he only
arrived this March, after serving up his notice at BT, where he was
managing director of the company’s retail division.
On 30 September, French newspaper Le Figaro had
revealed that Danon had been interviewed for a top job at hotel
chain Accor, along with other candidates.
After the report, Capgemini said it had agreed with Danon not to
comment on the news until the end of last week. It then decided
remove him from his post.
Capgemini said, “After having agreed with Danon that Capgemini
would not instantly react to this surprising announcement, and
having accepted to make no further comment until the end of the
week, the group now notes that the necessary conditions to maintain
his leadership position in the group could no longer be met."
Capgemini said Danon wanted to continue in his job at the
company.
Danon began his professional career with Xerox where he spent 20
years, holding several high level posts, the most recent being
chairman of Europe.
In October 2000, he joined BT, where he became a director of the
board and managing director of BT Retail as the broadband market
started to take off.
Capgemini said there were no plans to replace Danon in the
coming months.