Jean-Bernard Lévy
Jean-Bernard Lévy | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 18, 1955 France |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | CEO and chairman of EDF |
Jean-Bernard Lévy (born 18 March 1955) is a prominent French executive who has held the positions of CEO and chairman at EDF.
Early life
Lévy, the son of a medical doctor, completed his secondary education at Lycée Pasteur in Neuilly-sur-Seine. To enhance his English proficiency, he spent a year studying at St Martin's preparatory school located in Northwood, Middlesex, England. He pursued higher education at the prestigious École Polytechnique and later enrolled at the École nationale supérieure des télécommunications starting in 1973.
Early career
In 1979, Lévy commenced his professional journey as an engineer with France Telecom. By 1982, he had transitioned to the Directorate General of Telecommunications within the PTT France, where he oversaw senior personnel and budget management before advancing to the role of deputy chief of staff.
Public sector
Lévy served as a technical advisor to the Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs, and Telephones in 1986 during Gérard Longuet’s tenure as secretary. After leading communications satellite operations at Matra Marconi Space, he returned to governmental duties under Longuet and subsequently under Minister Jose Rossi.
Private sector
Beginning in 1994, Lévy held the position of Group Director at Matra-Hachette and was president and CEO of Matra Communication from 1995 until 1998. He then became managing partner at Oddo & Cie, where he orchestrated its merger into Pinatton Corporate in 2002.
He was appointed CEO of Vivendi in 2002 and elevated to chairman of its executive board in 2005. Additionally, he chaired supervisory boards for firms such as Viroxis starting in 2007 and Activision Blizzard from 2009. His tenure at Vivendi concluded in June 2012 due to strategic conflicts with chairman Jean-Rene Fourtou.
In December 2012, Lévy assumed the role of CEO at Thales Group. Later, in October 2014, he succeeded Henri Proglio as CEO of EDF. During his leadership, EDF encountered difficulties including reduced earnings and a halving of market capitalization by March 2016, coinciding with the CFO’s departure linked to investment controversies.
Corporate boards
- Independent board member at Société Générale since 2009
- Board member of Vinci from 2007 to 2015
- Supervisory board member at DCNS between 2013 and 2014
- Chairman of the supervisory board for Viroxis from 2007 to 2014
- Deputy chairman on the supervisory board of Maroc Telecom from 2007 until 2012
- Member of the supervisory board for Cegetel until 2008
- Board member at NBC Universal from 2004 through 2012
Non-profit organizations
- Chairman of the board at Institut Télécom since 2009
- Board member at the Pasteur Institute since 2007
Recognition
He has been honored as a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur and holds the title Officier of the Ordre national du Mérite.