Laurence Parisot
Laurence Parisot | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 31, 1959 Luxeuil-les-Bains, Haute-Saône, France |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Known for | Head of MEDEF (2005–2013), CEO of IFOP, Chairwoman and CEO of Citigroup France |
Laurence Parisot (born 31 August 1959 in Luxeuil-les-Bains, Haute-Saône) is a prominent French business executive who served as the head of the MEDEF employers' association from 2005 until 2013. She also holds the position of director at the IFOP polling organization. Following her inheritance of the Parisot group, a leading French furnishing retail company, she ranks as the 276th wealthiest person in France.
Family
The Parisot group, a privately held furnishing retail enterprise, was established and managed by her father and grandfather, Jacques Parisot. Laurence Parisot remains single and has no children.
Education
Parisot pursued studies in public law at Nancy University before enrolling at Sciences Po. In 1986, she assumed the role of director at the Louis Harris Institute polling firm.
Career
Beginning in 1990, Parisot became CEO of the IFOP polling institute after acquiring a 75% stake in the company. Since that year, she has also been a member of the board of directors at BNP Paribas.
Leadership of MEDEF
Parisot joined the executive committee of MEDEF in 2003. On 5 July 2005, she was elected to succeed Ernest-Antoine Seillière, becoming both the youngest individual and the first leader from the service sector to head this major business federation. Her tenure emphasized tackling unemployment and highlighting entrepreneurship as integral to French society, while advocating for more flexible labor regulations.
On 6 November 2007, she attended a White House state dinner hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush honoring French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
In 2013, after an unsuccessful attempt to prolong her leadership through internal reforms, she was succeeded by Pierre Gattaz.
Subsequent roles
In 2014, Parisot showed interest in succeeding Henri Proglio as CEO of the French state-owned utility Électricité de France (EDF), though the position ultimately went to Jean-Bernard Lévy. In 2018, she was appointed chairwoman and CEO of Citigroup's operations in France.
Corporate boards
- Électricité de France (EDF), Board Member (since 2014)
- BNP Paribas, Board Member (2006–2018)
- Ernst & Young, Advisory Board Member
- Michelin, Independent Director (2005–2015)
- Coface, Independent Director (2007–2014)
- Havas, Board Member (2005–2006)
- Disneyland Paris, Independent Director (2000–2006)
Non-profit affiliations
- Institut de la Finance Durable (IFD), Board of Directors member (since 2022)
- European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Member
- International Crisis Group (ICG), Trustee Board member (since 2012)
- Open Society Foundations, Participant in the European Advisory Board
Honors
Parisot has been honored with the Ordre national du Mérite.
Private life
Parisot lives in Paris and is unmarried.
References
(FR) Adapted from the French version