Our story
From Paris to Dubai, from London to Casablanca, discover the 50-year saga of a flagship family group.
THE GROUP'S ORIGINS
OUR ORIGINS
ARMONIA is a division of the Sofinord Group, a family holding company founded in 1974 by Patrick Thélot and today chaired by one of his children, Jean-Baptiste Thélot. It has its roots in the hospitality and reception professions, fields where service excellence and attention to the customer make all the difference.
This heritage profoundly shapes our DNA and explains our unique approach to Facility Management. Whereas other industry players come from technical or cleaning backgrounds, we have built our expertise with a focus on people.
This singularity has enabled us to develop a different vision, where the quality of relationships and user experience are front and center. It is this service culture that now enriches all our activities, from business services and events to multi-technical building maintenance.
It is reflected in our ability to create work and living spaces that foster well-being and spark positive emotions.
PATRICK THÉLOT
SOFINORD'S FOUNDER
An ESSEC graduate, Patrick Thélot embodies French entrepreneurship: bold, visionary, and deeply humanistic. In 1974, he decided to embark on an entrepreneurial adventure by creating Sofinord.
His intuition? The luxury and fashion market needed qualified professionals, and specialized temporary work represented an opportunity to seize.
This initial activity laid the foundations of a corporate philosophy that endures: “There is no wealth but people,” a deep conviction guiding each strategic decision.
This human-centred vision led him to develop a family-oriented group where service culture, team spirit, and professional excellence form a common foundation.
An entrepreneur at heart, he has never stopped reinventing his company, exploring new businesses and embracing ambitious challenges while retaining the closeness and attention to people that are the Group’s strength.
THE EMERGENCE OF AN INTEGRATED SERVICES GROUP
OUR VALUES
The beginnings of Sofinord were marked by progressive development around its initial core business: specialized temporary work in the world of fashion, luxury, and beauty.
These demanding sectors provided a learning ground where a keen understanding of client needs became the group’s hallmark.
During this formative period, Patrick Thélot established a solid corporate culture, invested in his teams, and built a reputation for excellence that would become a major asset for the future.
These years of consolidation created a financially sound organization, proven operational processes, and above all, a strong corporate culture centered on human values.
This first stage thus laid the foundation for a group able to seize growth opportunities while preserving its identity.
BUILDING OUR IDENTITY
OUR CREATIONS
The development of ARMONIA was built on our ability to imagine new offerings in line with our clients’ needs.
In 1994, the creation of Phone Régie marked a turning point, positioning the Group in the booming market of outsourced physical and telephone reception.
In 2004, Facilitess extended our offering into occupant services and maintenance, helping to simplify businesses’ everyday operations.
In 2011, Musea was founded, dedicated to welcoming the public in cultural institutions and theme parks.
In 2014, a decisive stage was reached with the creation of the ARMONIA brand, bringing together all our historic activities around Hospitality and Facility Management, and affirming our position as a key player in the industry.
In 2019, the launch of ARMONIA Facility brought our vision of a global approach to work environments to life, where employee well-being became the priority.
BRINGING TOGETHER EXPERTISE
OUR ACQUISITIONS
Beyond internal growth, our expansion relies on targeted acquisitions that enrich our expertise.
From 1985, the acquisition of Avenir RH, a temporary staffing company, marked the first steps of our external growth strategy.
In 2003, the arrival of Mahola reinforced our premium positioning in hospitality professions.
In 2010, Côme brought its expertise in HR solutions, completing our service offering. Two years later, Charlestown joined the Group with a solid reputation in corporate reception and street marketing.
In 2020, the inclusion of Steamo, a specialist in multi-technical maintenance, enabled us to offer a comprehensive technical solution.
In 2025, the integration of Enfin Lundi, a leading player in phygital concierge services, greatly enriches our expertise and illustrates our ambition to enhance the employee experience and accelerate the rollout of hospitality aligned with new ways of working.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
EXPANSION
Our international expansion began in 2008 with ARMONIA Benelux in Brussels.
Phone Régie in Spain (2009) and Mahola Maroc in Casablanca (2011) followed. From 2018, this expansion accelerated.
In London, Office Concierge and Privée Concierge brought their expertise in premium offices, while Anabas, a leader in corporate facility management, expanded our comprehensive offering (hard and soft FM, reception, security, maintenance).
In the Netherlands, Bouwens&, a specialist in hospitality management (reception, security, facility desk), strengthened our presence in the Benelux, which was further reinforced in 2022 by Receptel, consolidating our Belgian leadership in corporate reception.
In Barcelona, Metropolis anchored our presence in Spain.
THA, present in Dubai and Riyadh, specializes in designing and rolling out world-class, people-centred experiences for events, retail, and cultural destinations, enabling us to shine at the 2021 Universal Exhibition.
Present in 8 countries, we export our French expertise while being enriched by local cultures.
ARMONIA TODAY
A SYMPHONY IN MOTION
The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sofinord Group. This symbolic milestone comes with a generational transition: Patrick Thélot, the founder and chairman, announces that the leadership of the Group will pass to his son, Jean-Baptiste Thélot, effective from September 2025.
This handover embodies the continuity of the family adventure, with a vision focused on innovation and digital transformation.
For ARMONIA, Sophie Auger-Mongenot takes over as General Manager, leading an ambitious transformation strategy focused on client experience and human-centred hospitality aligned with changing workplace trends.
From Paris to Dubai, from London to Casablanca, our family Group continues to grow while remaining true to its original DNA: reception and hospitality.
This is a story being written by a new generation, with a single brand name – ARMONIA – bringing together all areas of expertise and, above all, ready to embrace tomorrow’s challenges.
