{{short description|French business entrepreneur (born 1975)}} {{use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{UPE|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Hugues Mulliez | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|8|7}} | birth_place = Paris, France | occupation = Entrepreneur | known_for = Member of Mulliez family | title = | boards = | website = {{url|http://huguesmulliez.com/}} }}
'''Hugues Stephane Bernard Mulliez''' (born 7 August 1975) is a French business entrepreneur.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lsa-conso.fr/annuaire-professionnels-grande-consommation/mulliez-hugues/121826|title=Hugues Mulliez : Président-directeur général de Surcouf|website=www.lsa-conso.fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://dirigeants.bfmtv.com/Hugues-MULLIEZ-436178/|title=Hugues MULLIEZ - Dirigeant de la société Progressy - BFMBusiness.com|website=dirigeants.bfmtv.com|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://opengazettes.com/gazette_notices/331380024|title=Notice 2015088216, N° 1983, Mémorial C, Mémorial, Luxembourg - OpenGazettes|website=opengazettes.com|access-date=2019-09-25|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925113034/http://opengazettes.com/gazette_notices/331380024|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the former founder of Net Player Games, founder and Chairman of Youg's, President and CEO of Surcouf, and founder of Progressy société.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
== Personal life == Hugues Mulliez was born in Paris, France, on 7 August 1975.<ref name=":0" /> He is the son of Stéphane Mulliez, creator of Picwic, the grand-nephew of the Auchan group's northern founder, Gérard Mulliez,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/grece-le-francais-inculpe-pour-homicides-par-negligence-est-un-membre-de-la-famille-mulliez-1348169|title=Famille Mulliez : accident mortel avec un hors-bord impliquant un de ses membres|last=Berger|first=Annick|date=2019-08-25|website=Capital.fr|language=fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> and the grandson of Francis Mulliez who participated in the establishment of the AFM association.<ref name=":0" /> The Mulliez Family Association (AFM) was created in 1955.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kelmagasin.com/enseignes/mulliez.html|title=Le groupe Mulliez|website=www.kelmagasin.com|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://force-ouvriere44.fr/vous-connaissez-tous-ces-enseignes-mais-qui-les-gerent/|title=Vous connaissez tous ces enseignes, mais qui les gérent ? - FO44|date=2015-07-29|website=Force Ouvrière 44|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lecho.be/entreprises/banques/hugues-mulliez-et-ing-en-petard-pour-une-affaire-de-credit/10159853.html|title=Hugues Mulliez et ING en pétard pour une affaire de crédit|date=2019-09-05|website=L'Echo|language=fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> Its goal was to maintain a patriarchal heritage intact and distribute it to 11 children in an equitable manner.<ref name=":4" />
The Mulliez group brings together retail chains in the large food retail, fast food, fashion and sports sectors in France. Auchan, Kiloutou, Decathlon, Leroy Merlin, Kiabi, Flunch, are some of the companies controlled by The Mulliez Family Association.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/billionaire-hugues-mulliez-to-be-sued-over-fishermens-death-j8fwz5bxf|title=Billionaire Hugues Mulliez to be sued over fishermen's death|last=Athens|first=Anthee Carassava|date=2019-08-27|work=The Times|access-date=2019-09-25|language=en|issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.frustrationlarevue.fr/famille-mulliez-1300-hypocrites-regnent-secteur-de-grande-distribution/|title=La famille Mulliez : 1300 hypocrites règnent sur le secteur de la grande distribution|date=2017-10-01|website=FRUSTRATION|language=fr-FR|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> === 2019 boating accident and legal proceedings === Hugues Mulliez was charged with manslaughter after admitting to being at the helm of his boat as it collided with a Greek fishing boat with three people aboard on August 9, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-25 |title=Hugues Mulliez est l’homme inculpé après l’accident nautique mortel en Grèce |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/628647/article/2019-08-25/hugues-mulliez-est-l-homme-inculpe-apres-l-accident-nautique-mortel-en-grece |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=La Voix du Nord |language=fr}}</ref> off the luxurious Peloponnese resort of Porto Heli, 170 miles southwest of Athens. Two people were killed and one was seriously injured in the accident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-25 |title=Hugues Mulliez, petit-neveu de Gérard Mulliez, a été inculpé pour homicide après un accident nautique mortel en Grèce |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/hauts-de-france/hugues-mulliez-petit-neveu-gerard-mulliez-ete-inculpe-homicide-apres-accident-nautique-mortel-grece-1714025.html |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=France 3 Hauts-de-France |language=fr-FR}}</ref> It took Mulliez 13 hours to turn himself in to port authorities in Porto Heli.
On September 27, 2024 he was convicted of "negligent homicide" and "dangerous intervention by means of a vessel" by the Nafplio criminal court. His sentence was set at six years suspended imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-25 |title=French businessman Hugues Mulliez receives six-year suspended prison sentence after fatal accident in Greece |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2024/10/25/french-entrepreneur-hugues-mulliez-receives-six-year-suspended-prison-sentence-after-fatal-accident-in-greece_6730460_7.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |language=en}}</ref> His greek lawyer lodged an appeal.
Pending the appeal hearing, the date of which has not yet been set, the initial bond of €50,000 was reduced to €30,000. The court also upheld Mulliez's obligation to report once a month to the Greek embassy in Belgium, his place of residence, according to his entourage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-25 |title=French businessman Hugues Mulliez receives six-year suspended prison sentence after fatal accident in Greece |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2024/10/25/french-entrepreneur-hugues-mulliez-receives-six-year-suspended-prison-sentence-after-fatal-accident-in-greece_6730460_7.html |access-date=2024-12-02 |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == Hugues Mulliez was born into a family of entrepreneurs.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://news.abangui.com/h/62021.html|title=Interview d'Hugues MULLIEZ, un investisseur partenaire de TELECEL Centrafrique|website=aBangui.com|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> He created his first company at the age of 21, then sold it three years later.<ref name=":2" />
=== Leroy Merlin, Blanche Porte, 3 Suisses, Auchan === From 1993 to 1996, Hugues Mulliez served as a salesman at Leroy Merlin, purchasing control trainee at La Blanche Porte and Aux 3 Suisses, and then as head of fruit and vegetable department at Auchan.<ref name=":0" />
=== Net Player Games === In 1996, Hugues Mulliez founded Net Player Games in Lille, France.<ref name=":0" /> The company developed network games and assembled PCs.<ref name=":0" />
=== Youg’s === In 1999, Hugues Mulliez created Youg's.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Hugues Mulliez, Youg's: Profile and Biography - Bloomberg Markets|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/17091170|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://cms.law/en/FRA/News-Information/CMS-Bureau-Francis-Lefebvre-conseil-de-Hugues-Mulliez-dans-l-acquisition-de-Surcouf|title=CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre advised Hugues Mulliez on the acquisition of Surcouf|website=cms.law|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kering.com/en/press/news/|title=News {{!}} Kering|last=Disko|website=www.kering.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> In 2000, he opened the first Youg's store in Flers.<ref name=":0" /> Youg's was a retailer which distributed IT and digital products.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> The 3 stores<ref name=":4" /> were located in the North of France and the South of Paris, with approximately 100 employees.<ref name=":7" />
=== Surcouf === The first Surcouf store was created in 1992 by Olivier Dewavrin and Hervé Collin.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.clubic.com/actualite-268526-groupe-mulliez-cybermarchand-surcouf.html|title=Le groupe Mulliez rachèterait le cybermarchand Surcouf|last=Belfiore|first=Guillaume|date=2009-04-03|website=Clubic.com|language=fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> Surcouf became a subsidiary of Fnac in April 2001 when it was bought by the PPR group.<ref name=":9" /> PPR Group develops a portfolio of high-growth global brands.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />
In 2009, Hugues Mulliez purchased Surcouf from the PPR Group.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/economie/surcouf-place-en-redressement-judiciaire-01-03-2012-1436871_28.php|title=Surcouf placé en redressement judiciaire|last=magazine|first=Le Point|date=2012-03-01|website=Le Point|language=fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> Youg's was merged and applied to the management of Surcouf.<ref name=":9" /> Hugues Mulliez served as the President and CEO.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Graphique 2.24 Les 15 premières fondations actives dans le secteur du gouvernement et de la société civile, 2013-15|doi=10.1787/888933800822}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://french-leader.com/report.php?siret=37985387200016|title=Réseaux d'affaires de S.C.I. DE PAVILLON SOUS BOIS|website=french-leader.com|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>
=== Telecel Group === Telecel Global was founded in 2007.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171103005441/en/Eros-Announces-Entry-South-African-Market-Telecel|title=Eros Now Announces Entry into South African Market with Telecel Global Partnership|date=2017-11-03|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/98733-07|title=Telecel Global Company Profile: Acquisition & Investors {{!}} PitchBook|website=pitchbook.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> The firm offers wireless telecommunication services, and was formerly known as Exxon Telecom.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.publicnow.com/view/39D2114E31A88477A351AB0069E794DD305BF11D|title=Eros International plc (via Public) / Eros Now Announces Entry into South African Market with Telecel Global Partnership|website=www.publicnow.com|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/telecel-global|title=Telecel Global - CB Insights|website=www.cbinsights.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://www.agenceecofin.com/operateur/0703-45466-telecel-global-annonce-le-lancement-prochain-de-ses-activites-comme-mvno-en-afrique-du-sud|title=Telecel Global annonce le lancement prochain de ses activités comme MVNO en Afrique du Sud|last=Ecofin|first=Agence|website=Agence Ecofin|language=fr-fr|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref> Offices are located in South Africa and<ref name=":12" /> United Kingdom.<ref name=":11" />
Hugues Mulliez served as a board member at Telecel. Hugues Mulliez, along with his business partners Nicolas Bourg, Mohamad Damush, and Laurent Foucher, launched Africa Startup Initiative Program in 2019, as part of Telecel Group's CSR programs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://menafn.com/1098445381/Mr-Hugues-Mulliez-takes-part-in-Africa-Startup-Initiative-launch-at-the-Mobile-World-Congress-2019|title=Mr. Hugues Mulliez takes part in Africa Startup Initiative' launch at the Mobile World Congress 2019|last=MENAFN|website=menafn.com|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anews.top/mr-mohamad-damush-ceo-at-telecel-group-delivering-his-speech-at-the-asip-panel-mwc19-2_HVKyMJdmLzlE.html|title=Mr. Mohamad Damush, CEO at Telecel Group, delivering his speech at the ASIP panel #MWC19 (2) - aNews|last=ilovephp|website=www.anews.top|language=en|access-date=2019-09-27}}</ref>
As of January 2025 Mr. Mulliez no longer appears on the Board of Telecel and is engaged in a legal dispute with Telecel in front of the Courts of Mauritius. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.applebyglobal.com/publications/case-commentary-mulliez-h-s-b-v-telecel-group-sa-anor-2025-scj-31 | title=Mulliez H.S.B v Telecel Group SA & Anor 2025 SCJ 31 |last=Appleby|website=applebyglobal.com | access-date=2025-08-05}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mulliez, Hugues}} Category:1975 births Category:21st-century French businesspeople Category:Living people