FDJ United names Virginie Christnacht as Chief Commercial Officer
2026-07-29
Source: Global Gaming Insider
FDJ United has appointed Virginie Christnacht as Chief Commercial Officer, effective September 2026, as part of a restructuring following its acquisition of Kindred Group. Christnacht brings extensive communications experience from Teneo, Eurazeo, and French government roles.
Virginie Christnacht is set to join FDJ United as Chief Commercial Officer, effective 14 September 2026. She will also sit on the operator's Executive Committee, overseeing communications strategy, reputation, and stakeholder engagement across France and other markets.
This appointment comes amid a broader restructuring following FDJ United's €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) acquisition of Kindred Group in October 2024. That transaction significantly expanded the company's footprint in European online betting and gaming while scaling its digital operations. As the group integrates previously separate brands, maintaining a consistent communications approach across its French lottery, retail network, and international online brands has become critical.
Christnacht joins from advisory firm Teneo, where she was Senior Managing Director advising executives on strategic communications, reputation management, and crisis response. Earlier, she served as Chief Communications Officer at Eurazeo Group from 2018 to 2023, where she oversaw communications, launched a new brand platform, and supported international positioning. Her public-sector background includes leading the French Government's Department of Communications (2017-2018) and serving as Deputy Press Advisor to the French President (2014-2017).
FDJ United Chairwoman and CEO Stéphane Pallez noted that Christnacht's deep experience in strategic communications and executive support would be a major asset for the company's growth and transformation goals.
The appointment follows other Executive Committee changes linked to the Kindred acquisition. Pascal Chaffard was named Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer and Group Strategy and Operational Transformation Officer, while Celia Verot became General Secretary.
Financially, FDJ United reported first-quarter 2026 gross gaming revenue of €2.2 billion, up 1% year-on-year, though revenue fell 3% to €895 million due to higher gaming taxes. In June, the company launched a commission-advance scheme offering qualifying tobacconists and newsagents up to €30,000 for store modernisation, supporting its network of over 29,000 French points of sale as part of its retail strategy.