At only 28 years old, Agathe Monpays will become the boss of Leroy Merlin. Such a young woman at the head of one of the largest French companies... Information has something to talk about. But what about the other great tenors of industry and services in France? If the Mulliez group is not part of it because of its particular financing, we went to check the profiles of the leaders on the side of the CAC 40, the flagship index of the stock exchange in Paris.
How has the situation evolved? In 2012, no woman was at the head of a company listed on the CAC 40. In 2023, there are now officially two. Angeles Garcia-Poveda, 51, became Chairman of Legrand's Board of Directors in July 2020. In January 2022, Christel Heydemann, 48, was appointed Director General (DG).
Also noteworthy is the presence at the top of the scale of Estelle Brachlianoff (CEO) at Veolia, and Catherine MacGregor (CEO) for Engie. An effect of the Copé-Zimmermann law of January 2011. It now imposes a minimum quota of 40% of women on the boards of directors and supervisory boards of companies, even for the CAC 40.
Older and older leaders?
If women, still few in number, have appeared for 10 years at the head of large French companies, are the leaders younger than before? For the CAC 40, the answer is no. The average age of bosses exceeded 2023 in January 60, while it was only 56.5 in 2012. If the youngest leader 10 years ago (Guillaume Poitrinal at Unibail) was only 44 years old, it is Christel Heydemann who is the youngest at 48 years old.
Special mention to Charles Edelstenne who was still, in January 2023, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes at 85 years old. In 2012, the oldest was Maurice Lévy for Publicis at... 70 years. For women or for young people, there is still work to be done!