Leadership

Ktdral Builders

At the age of twenty, without much prior enthusiasm, I visited the sanctuary of Chartres for the first time. Coming as a tourist in the company of my cousin and uncle, who insisted on stopping off at the cathedral, whose stained-glass windows you absolutely had to see, or be able to say you'd seen…

Reaching the forecourt, I discovered with surprise the imposing Gothic construction. Although striking, I couldn't say that the monument before my uncultivated eyes was beautiful. The dissimilarity of the two towers, the myriad of sculpted figures, the blackening of the stone and grayish look of the stained glass…, from the outside, the whole appeared as gloomy as it was impressive. But the interior was to have a quite different effect on me.

As soon as I stepped into the cathedral, I felt troubled. There was in the ambient clarity of the nave, in the colored glow emanating from the stained-glass windows, the density of a presence that bestowed upon all things an aura, revealing their beauty. Never before had I been in a place that felt inhabited. In the softness of this surreal light, my eyes wandered from the floor to the ribbed vaults, catching a thousand details, filled with awe.

It was inside Chartres that I understood the power of light and beauty to produce emotion. Here, I had my first art thrill. And, beyond all religious ideas, it was here that I first sensed the feeling of the sacred.

When I think of those humans forgotten by centuries, armed with rudimentary tools, uniting their fervor, talents and extraordinary capacities for imagination to launch towards the sky a vessel of stone and glass, one capable of making light speak, I'm lost in admiration. Even today, cathedrals tell of feats that only the human hand, mind and soul can accomplish. They bear witness to the grandeur of which we are capable; it's up to us to keep it alive and perpetuate it, to make it resound in the universe. Now, it's up to us to create wonders.

Thierry Forbois

Ktdral Founder

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Leadership

Our Head Guardians

(From left to right)

  • VP of Strategy and Corporate Development

    With his remarkable interpersonal skills and uncommon organizational dexterity, Hughes is at the heart of Ktdral's business and investment strategy. As the architect of the Group's development activities and commercial initiatives, he oversees the establishment and prosperity of our Maisons. Hughes also leads the organization of all major events of Ktdral.

  • Group Managing Director, Head of Ateliers - Partner

    With over ten years at the helm of Maison Renart, which he co-founded in 2010, Maxime oversees the entire Group's development and manufacturing activities. Outstanding atelier manager, man of strategy, it's in the field, in the midst of his brigade of artisans, that he deploys the full measure of his leadership talent to ensure that the genius of the Group's artists and creators turns into marvels. Maxime inspires, rallies, orchestrates, challenges, leads the way... Like a great chef in the kitchen, he tastes every sauce, paying attention to the smallest details, driven by the certainty that in the details lies the exceptional.

  • CEO, Group Chief Creative - Founder

    An unclassifiable creator, captivating with the eclecticism and originality of his resonant and sacred universe, a visionary and accomplished entrepreneur with a quarter century of experience under his belt, Thierry Forbois leads the destinies of Ktdral. Defending the Group's ideal of human creativity, he embodies the values of authenticity, excellence, boldness and tenacity that drive our creators, artisans and builders.

  • Chief Marketing Officer – Partner

    Blessed with a rare talent for film, image and photography, and with ten years' experience in audiovisual creation, Loïc heads up brand strategy and customer experience for the Group and its Maisons. He believes in the noble role of marketing as a positive force for building dialogue and trust with Ktdral's clientele. Loïc works closely with Thierry Forbois in the development of one-off events, pieces and collections, while the planning of branding initiatives begins right from the creative idea.

  • Director of Operations - Partner

    Longest-serving associate of Thierry Forbois, co-founder of Maison Renart, Jean-Pierre has held senior management positions in leading manufacturing companies. He possesses remarkable expertise acquired over more than 35 years in architecture and interior design for the luxury goods sector. A versatile manager and with a reputation for sharp judgment, clear-sightedness and unparalleled organizational skills, Jean-Pierre has repeatedly risen to the demanding challenges inherent in the start-up of three companies, making a vital contribution to their growth.