AGS Director Joëlle Castro (second from right) addressed the UFE’s General Assembly in Paris. Mr Gérard Pelisson, Chairman of the Accor Group, recently signed an agreement with the AGS Group’s Chairman, Alain Taïeb. This establishes a partnership which sees AGS joining forces with the Union of French Expatriates (UFE) – an organization Mr Pelisson has led since 1997.

Founded in 1927, the Union of French Expatriates (UFE) is recognized as a public interest organization. Its network unites French nationals, French speakers and Francophiles worldwide.

The UFE’s actions are driven by four strong values: hospitality, mutual aid, friendliness and outreach.

The organization works to protect French nationals abroad in the areas of health, education, security, taxation, suffrage and citizenship issues.

The UFE is also a representative in the field for the French Embassy, the French Consulate and other authorities in France. Its role as an intermediary with local communities is very important, especially with regards to the security of French citizens.

The UFE is present in over 90 countries and the AGS Group is established in 84 countries, so we both have many synergies to develop! Our shared goal is to provide support to French people around the world: whether they are already expatriates, or upon their departure from or return back to France.

It is with great pleasure that we are participating in this exclusive partnership project. The agreement was signed on 25 February in the presence of Gerard Pelisson, UFE Chairman; Marc Boudin, UFE General Delegate and Charles Baudart, AGS Movers France President.

Gerard Pelisson and Charles Baudart.

A delegation of the AGS Group was also honoured to attend the UFE’s General Assembly. This took place in Paris on 12 March, and was followed by an evening gala attended by 330 guests. The event was a valuable opportunity to present AGS’ activities to all UFE directors and partners, and discuss future joint actions at local and international levels.

Firstly, this partnership enables the UFE to benefit from our expertise in moving and relocation services; and secondly, reinforces AGS’ presence amongst French nationals and UFE members overseas.

Joint actions will also be swiftly initiated through all the means at our shared disposal – including newsletters, articles in the UFE’s ‘La Voix De France’ magazine, and local actions in partnership with UFE branches worldwide.

We are thrilled with this agreement and the opportunities that it presents to both parties!

In stark contrast to some gloomy attitudes towards Africa expressed in the early 1990s, AGS recognised Africa’s importance to the global economy, as a leading resources supplier and a young population.

AGS is proud to have played an integral role for over a quarter of a century in improving accessibility to African growth markets, by delivering high-quality mobility services to professionals and their families arriving in and travelling from this dynamic continent.

The first AGS branch in Africa opened in 1992 in the Ivory Coast, and within 22 years new branches were established in a further 47 countries on the continent.

The Africa54 vision

In 2014 the AGS Group launched our ‘Africa 54’ project, committed to achieving 100% network coverage of Africa in 2016. Unwavering dedication has enabled the AGS Group to continue expanding our network of subsidiary branches to all 54 countries in Africa: a historic and unique first for a privately-owned company!

We look forward to celebrating this milestone through high-profile events in Johannesburg (20 September 2016), Paris (27 September 2016) and London (29 September 2016).

This will be a celebration of the 25 years’ presence of the AGS Group in Africa, as well as of the complete coverage it offers its customers throughout the world for their mobility to or from Africa. This is through a unique, consistent and reliable service: an answer that is both local and global.

To follow AGS’ Africa54 news, please visit www.agsmovers.com/africa54