Functionalab Taps New CEO to Accelerate Growth in Aesthetics Market

MONTRÉAL, QC – March 31, 2026 – Functionalab Group, a dominant force in Canada's medical aesthetics industry, has initiated a significant leadership transition designed to steer its next phase of growth. The parent company of the premium Dermapure and Project Skin MD clinic networks announced that co-founder Francis Maheu will step down from his operational role as Chief Executive Officer after a transformative 17-year tenure. Anne-Valérie Guidollet, a seasoned executive in the global beauty and retail sectors, has been appointed as the new CEO.

This move is not a sudden shift but the culmination of a meticulously planned succession strategy. Maheu will maintain a strong connection to the company he helped build, transitioning to a role on the Board of Directors and serving as a Special Advisor. He also remains a significant shareholder, ensuring his deep institutional knowledge continues to benefit the organization. The transition underscores a strategic pivot towards leveraging new commercial expertise to accelerate growth in an increasingly competitive market.

A Deliberate Transition for a New Era

The leadership change at Functionalab Group was set in motion long before today's announcement. According to the company, the transition follows a deliberate process where the board and key shareholders identified the need for a senior commercial leader to eventually take the helm. This foresight led to the recruitment of Anne-Valérie Guidollet in November 2024, who joined as Chief Commercial Officer with the explicit mandate to prepare for the CEO role.

Her nearly 18-month tenure as CCO served as a crucial integration period, allowing her to deeply immerse herself in the company's operations and culture while simultaneously making a tangible impact. During this time, Guidollet was instrumental in strengthening the Group's commercial performance by sharpening patient acquisition and retention strategies, reinforcing brand consistency across its vast network, and fostering stronger alignment between its clinics, marketing, and operational teams.

"Francis' entrepreneurial vision, leadership and resilience have been instrumental in building Functionalab Group and Dermapure into the leader it is today," stated Kevin Mosher, Chairman of the Board. "The Board has full confidence in Anne-Valérie and the executive leadership team to lead the organization forward, strengthening commercial execution, medical excellence and the culture that defines the Group." This endorsement signals a unified belief that the foundation built by Maheu is the perfect launchpad for Guidollet's commercially-focused strategy.

The Architect's Enduring Legacy

Francis Maheu's departure from the CEO position marks the end of an era for Functionalab Group. Since co-founding the company in 2009, he has been the primary architect of its impressive expansion. Under his leadership, the Group grew from a nascent idea into Canada's largest branded network of premium aesthetic medicine clinics, a journey marked by the successful integration of more than 80 strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions.

This M&A-driven strategy allowed the company to establish a coast-to-coast presence and solidify the Dermapure brand as a hallmark of quality and medical excellence. The company's consistent recognition on Canada's Growth List for five consecutive years from 2016 to 2020 is a testament to the success of this vision. By transitioning to a Special Advisor and board role, Maheu ensures that this foundational vision and entrepreneurial spirit remain embedded in the company's DNA.

"Co-founding Functionalab Group and being part of the journey that built Dermapure into a leading brand in medical aesthetics has been the most meaningful professional experience of my career," said Maheu. "I have full confidence in Anne-Valérie's leadership and in the executive team to continue executing our strategy, building momentum and delivering on our mission to be the most trusted premium brand in medical aesthetics." His continued involvement is structured to provide guidance and stability, helping to balance the preservation of a successful culture with the pursuit of new growth opportunities.

A Commercial Powerhouse Takes the Helm

Anne-Valérie Guidollet brings a formidable track record to the CEO office. With over 25 years of international leadership experience, she has a deep understanding of brand building, customer experience, and digital transformation, honed at major global companies in the consumer goods, beauty, and retail industries. Her background includes a notable tenure as a senior executive at Nespresso, where she was known for solidifying its premium brand position on a global scale.

Her leadership philosophy, which she describes as "grounded in the belief that sustainable growth starts with people," aligns with Functionalab's culture, which is built on partnerships with physicians and clinic teams. This people-first approach, combined with her sharp commercial acumen, positions her to effectively lead the company's 600 employees and network of over 185 physicians and nurses.

"I am honoured by the confidence of Francis and the Board, and excited to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer," Guidollet stated. "What excites me most is the opportunity to work alongside our executive team, medical partners and clinic teams across the country to build on this foundation, accelerate our growth, and further strengthen our position as the most trusted premium brand in medical aesthetics." Her focus is squarely on the future, aiming to leverage the company's strong platform to capture new market share and enhance its premium service offering.

Navigating a Booming and Competitive Market

The leadership change comes at a pivotal time for the medical aesthetics industry. The Canadian market, like its global counterpart, is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing consumer acceptance and technological advancements in non-invasive procedures. However, this growth has also fueled a highly competitive landscape, where brand trust, patient experience, and operational efficiency are key differentiators.

Functionalab's strategic decision to bring in a leader with Guidollet's specific skillset appears to be a direct response to these market dynamics. Her expertise in digital transformation is particularly relevant as clinics increasingly rely on technology for patient engagement and service delivery. Furthermore, her proven ability to build and maintain premium brands is critical for a company that operates in the high end of the market under the Dermapure and Project Skin MD banners.

By blending Maheu's enduring strategic guidance with Guidollet's modern commercial and digital expertise, Functionalab Group is positioning itself not just to participate in the market's growth, but to actively lead and shape it. The transition represents a calculated evolution, ensuring the company remains agile and innovative while staying true to the core principles of medical excellence and patient care that have defined its success to date.