About

Compagnie des Alpes is responsible for running some of the most popular ski resorts and amusement parks across Europe, including France’s second-most popular tourist attraction, Parc Astérix. The 10-strong legal team led by director of legal affairs, audit and internal control Philippe Jutard has enacted two major internal changes over the past 24 months. Firstly, the legal team, through Jutard, is now a part of the executive committee of the company. Secondly, the audit and internal control department now reports to Jutard, creating a centralised function. ‘We have decided to structure the legal department not according to our industrial activities but according to legal families of intervention’, he explains, ‘[this is] in order to develop synergies between operational activities and enhance group spirit within the team’. In recent years, the Compagnie des Alpes Group has rapidly developed in the distribution and hospitality sectors to secure the business of its ski areas, rejuvenate the client base and expand internationally. As such, it acquired online tour operator Travel Factory in January 2018, adding this company’s integrated network of ski and camping holidays through its Travelski and Locatour brands in the process. Similarly, in 2019, Compagnie des Alpes closed the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Familypark, the leading Austrian leisure park. All of these endeavours have been supported and enabled by the company’s expert legal team at all stages. Jutard sees a tireless ambition to serve the customers of Compagnie des Alpes among the legal team: ‘Being a services company in the leisure industry the entire group focuses on the highest possible satisfaction of the clients in our sites. The same philosophy has been extended to the legal department’ he explains.