Would it be impossible in France to lead a large group without being French yourself? Even the three-colored giants who do most of their business internationally are almost all run by presidents of French nationality.. At CAC 40, the study by headhunting firm Segalen et Associés counted only six exceptions: Francesco Milleri at EssilorLuxottica and Aditya Mittal at ArcelorMittal (presidencies linked to mergers and acquisitions), Carlos Tavares at Stelantis, Paul Hudson at Sanofi, Thomas Buberle at Axa (German and Swiss national, also acquired French citizenship in 2021) or at Lucas de Meo at Renault.

“These last four are all very close to French culture. They speak French and, prior to being hired, had already spent all or part of their careers in the group that he led., notes Emmanuel Dufour, partner at Segalen et Associés. By comparison, UK bands…