Romain Sartorius named Chairman & CEO of Mobivia

French automotive and mobility sector company Mobivia, which operates 11 brands and some 20 start-ups in several countries, has a new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Following its election on 27 January, the company’s Board of Directors chose Romain Sartorius to lead the firm for the next four years.

This appointment continues the family connection. Romain Sartorius is a grandson of Norauto founder Eric Derville. He succeeds his uncle, Fabien Derville, who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mobivia for the past eight years.

A graduate of HEC Paris, Sartorius has a wide range of experience, particularly in new technologies. He contributed to strategy missions at McKinsey & Company and led operations at Tel and Com. In 2015, he founded Fewlines, specialising in the digital transformation of retail companies.

Resolutely forward-looking

“I am proud to succeed Fabien and honoured by the confidence the shareholders and members of Mobivia’s Board of Directors have placed in me,” states Romain Sartorius. “I thank Fabien for the three decades he has devoted to Mobivia. He has left an indelible mark, made of an invaluable commitment and a vision of our business which is resolutely forward-looking, which anticipates the changes and prepares our companies to meet current and upcoming challenges. I thank him for the attention he has always placed on Mobivia’s men and women. Fabien reminds us that their fulfilment and growth is not just a means to reach a target: it is, along with the satisfaction of our customers, the very purpose of our companies.”

“I’m now handing over to Romain after more than 30 years spent at Mobivia,” adds Fabien Derville. “I would like to warmly thank our 23,500 employees. In all our companies, in all our countries, they contribute towards making Mobivia a unique ecosystem of companies. An ecosystem that relies on skilled, committed and passionate men and women who act day after day for safer, more accessible and sustainable mobility. I wish them and Romain every success for the future.”

Fabien Derville has spent more than 30 years at Mobivia, including 8 years as Chairman & CEO (Photo: Mobivia)

About Mobivia

Mobivia describes itself as the “European leader in multi-brand vehicle maintenance and equipment.” Reporting turnover of 3.6 billion euros and with 23,500 employees on the payroll, Mobivia engages in the tyre and automotive sectors through retail, distribution and manufacturing within the circular economy.

The company’s Norauto auto centre brand operates 631 outlets (including 141 franchises) in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Mobivia is responsible for a further 684 centres, mostly franchise businesses, under the Midas brand name in 13 countries. The company also runs the Auto 5 network in Belgium and is also the sole owner of the ATU network in Germany and Austria.

Distribution takes place both offline and online via Carter-Cash, online with Bythjul, Skruvat, in BtoB with Synchro Diffusion, and through iWip.

Subsidiary iWip also partners with Black-Star in the retreading of car tyres at the former Bridgestone factory site in Béthune, France. These tyres are sold under the Black Star and Leonard brand names.