The news sparked a wave of grateful messages from elected officials in northern France.
Former president of the agri-food giant well known to the French Bonduelle from 1985 to 1994, Bruno Bonduelle died Friday, at the age of 89 at his home in Marcq-en-Barœul, announced several media, including
La Voix du nord
.
Born in 1933, the businessman spent several decades in the family business, which he ended up directing and accompanying its international development.
He then remained at the head of the company's supervisory board, before becoming a member of the board of directors.
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A fervent promoter of his native region, he then turned to politics and public engagement, first by founding and then by directing the Grand Lille Committee, an employers' organization aimed at defending entrepreneurs and promoting economic activity in the territory.
He then became president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Lille Métropole from 2004 to 2010.
The announcement of the death of Bruno Bonduelle provoked many reactions, first in the local professional environment.
“
Bruno Bonduelle is for us the epitome of a business leader committed to his territory.
He leaves us as a legacy the desire to maintain his flame to continue to support the development of Greater Lille
, ”welcomed the Greater Lille Committee on Friday.
For its part, the Greater Lille CCI hailed an "
inexhaustible defender of the attractiveness of the territory and its influence
".
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Many elected officials also paid tribute to the former boss of Bonduelle.
"
The whole of the North, and much more, feels great sadness at the news of the death of the thunderous agitator of ideas and great business leader Bruno Bonduelle
", wrote the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, on Twitter, hailing "
a genius
".
"
Bruno Bonduelle was an exceptional figure in Hauts-de-France, a business leader who gave hope and a visionary who had ambition for our Region
", declared Xavier Bertrand, when Martine Aubry underlined the qualities of a "
man of character, of great brilliance, with rich ideas
".
Similarly, several parliamentarians have highlighted the career of the businessman, such as Roger Vicot (PS), who described him as "
above all a madman from our region, inventing, imagining, foreseeing and constantly seeking ways to make it stronger and more visible
”.
