Accor Chairman and Chief Executive Bazin told France Info radio that Sarkozy brought vital top-level experience to Accor.

"I am happy that he is there," said Bazin.

Earlier this month, a French court found that Sarkozy had tried to bribe a judge and peddle his influence after leaving office, in exchange for inside information about an investigation into his 2007 campaign finances. Sarkozy is appealing the ruling.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta, editing by Louise Heavens)