Corporate bits | Nicolas Sarkozy appointed to Accorhotels’ board

In order to advance the implementation of AccorHotels’ expansion strategy, its Board of Directors has decided to set up an “International Strategy Committee.”

This Committee will focus on the development of AccorHotels’ network and brand portfolio throughout the world, as well as on the promotion of French tourism.

Accor’s Board of Directors has also taken note of the resignation of Nadra Moussalem as director, following Colony Capital’s decision to sell its shareholding in Accor.

In Moussalem’s place, the board unanimously nominated Nicolas Sarkozy as an independent director for the remainder of Moussalem’s term. This decision was made at the close of the shareholder meeting convened to approve the financial statements for 2018.

The former French president will chair the International Strategy Committee, whose missions and members will be further detailed by a forthcoming board meeting.

Apple headquarters to have theater named for Steve Jobs

Apple has announced that its new headquarters will open for employees in the spring and will include a theater named for its late co-founder, Steve Jobs.

Apple says in a news release on its website that the process of moving its 12,000 employees from its old digs in Cupertino, California, to the new Apple Park nearby will begin in April and will take more than six months to complete.

The 175-acre campus includes a 2.8 million-square-foot main building in the shape of a giant ring. Apple says the building will run entirely on renewable energy.

The campus will also include a 1,000-seat auditorium called the Steve Jobs Theater. Jobs famously unveiled new Apple products at theater events. He died in 2011 at 56 following a battle with cancer.