France: PMU president steps down

Bertrand Méheut is stepping down from his position as President of the French sports and horse racing betting operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU).

France.-  Bertrand Méheut has announced he is stepping down from his role as President of the major sports and horse racing betting operator Pari-Mutuel Urbain (PMU) to devote himself to other professional projects and personal commitments. 

Director General, Cyril Linette, will take on responsibility for company strategy, and a new, non-executive president will be appointed at the upcoming General Assembly meeting on June 9.

PMU praised Méheut’s work driving the operator forward in fulfilling its marketing vision.

It said in a statement: “The entire board of directors regrets the decision made by Bertrand Méheut. Since his appointment, Bertrand Méheut has given the necessary strategic impetus to guarantee the proper management of the company and supported an innovative and ambitious marketing vision for the PMU.”

Méheut, who previously served as the President of television group Canal+, has been President of PMU since 2018.

Last year, the operator implemented an executive team restructure under Cyril Linette in an attempt to revamp French horse racing’s profile with the general public.

The company decided to let go of its international racing assets and end diversification in order to focus on French betting and horse racing.

French horse racing resumed activity behind closed doors on May 11.