Gilles Martin (businessman)
Gilles Martin | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 20, 1963 Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, scientist, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder and executive chairman of Eurofins Scientific |
Gilles Martin (born 20 October 1963 in Paris) is a French engineer, scientist, and billionaire entrepreneur. He is the founder and currently serves as executive chairman of Eurofins Scientific.
Education
Born to Maryvonne Lucie Martin and Gérard-Jean Martin, both chemistry professors at the University of Nantes, Gilles Martin pursued his studies at Centrale Paris. During this time, he co-established Objectif Maths, a company focused on mathematics education, before divesting his shares. Subsequently, he held a research assistant position at Syracuse University, where he contributed to the creation of a diagnostic tool employing magnetic resonance imaging. After completing his master's degree and doctoral studies, he returned to France to continue his career.
Eurofins Scientific
In 1987, Gilles Martin and his brother Yves-Loïc founded Eurofins, leveraging a patented method developed by their parents for quantifying sugar levels in wines. Gilles secured the patent rights from the CNRS and broadened its use throughout the food sector. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 50 employees with an export rate of 70%. Eurofins adopted an assertive acquisition approach by investing in startups and purchasing numerous laboratories, resulting in a workforce of 50,000 by 2020.
Wealth
As reported by Forbes, Gilles Martin holds approximately 25% ownership in Eurofins through the family’s holding entity Analytical Bioventures. His estimated net worth stands at $5.2 billion, placing him at 757th among the world’s wealthiest individuals as of December 2021.
Awards
- National Entrepreneur Award (2007)