Emmanuel Besnier
Emmanuel Besnier | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 18, 1970 Laval, Mayenne, France |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | CEO and majority shareholder of Lactalis |
Emmanuel Besnier (born 18 September 1970) is a French billionaire entrepreneur and heir, acting as the CEO and majority shareholder of Lactalis. As of February 2025, his net worth was valued at US$24.2 billion by Forbes.
Early life
Besnier was born in Laval, Mayenne, France, to parents Michel Besnier and Christiane. His grandfather, André Besnier, established Lactalis in 1933. He has two siblings: a brother named Jean-Michel and a sister named Marie. He completed his secondary education at Lycée de l'Immaculée-Conception in Laval before graduating from ISG Business School in Paris.
Career
Starting his career at Lactalis in 1995 as director of development, Besnier ascended to the position of CEO in 2000 after the passing of his father. Alongside his siblings, he controls 83% ownership of the company. Recognized for maintaining a low public profile, he has earned the nickname "the invisible billionaire."
Lactalis salmonella scandal
At the end of 2017, Lactalis issued a recall of 12 million boxes of baby milk tainted with salmonella across 83 countries. During this crisis, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called upon Besnier to respond to the situation.
Philanthropy
Annually, he contributes €200,000 to the Francis-Le-Basser football stadium located in Laval and actively participates in its board meetings. Additionally, he constructed a private viewing area with tinted glass for watching games.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the "Mayennais of the Year" award by the local Rotary Club in 2006.
Personal life
Besnier is married to Sandrine, a native of Laval whom he met during high school. Their wedding took place at the Basilique Notre Dame in Laval. The couple has three children and lives in Paris' 7th arrondissement. They also possess a château near Laval in Entrammes, which was inherited from his father.