Patrick Kron
Patrick Kron | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 26, 1953 France |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | CEO and chairman of Alstom |
Patrick Kron (born 26 September 1953) served as the chairman and chief executive officer (Président-directeur général) of the French industrial giant Alstom, renowned for its TGV high-speed trains, with its headquarters located in Saint-Ouen.
Early life and education
Kron is the offspring of Polish-Jewish refugees who endured Nazi concentration camps before establishing their lives in France. He pursued his higher education at the prestigious École Polytechnique and Mines ParisTech in Paris.
Public sector
Kron launched his professional journey at the French Ministry of Industry, where he worked from 1979 until 1984. His tenure included an assignment at the Direction régionale de l'Industrie, de la Recherche et de l'Environnement (DRIRE) in the Pays de la Loire region.
Private sector
Between 1984 and 1997, Kron was employed by Pechiney, ascending to the role of president for its Electrometallurgy Division. Concurrently, he chaired Carbone Lorraine from 1993 to 1997.
On 1 January 2003, Kron assumed the position of CEO at Alstom and was appointed chairman on 11 March that same year. During his leadership, Alstom encountered a U.S. Department of Justice probe culminating in a $772 million penalty. Several mid-tier executives were either detained or became FBI informants, leading Kron to advise company executives to avoid traveling to the United States.
In 2015, General Electric completed the acquisition of Alstom’s power generation and transmission divisions. Initially obstructed by the French government, the transaction gained approval following Emmanuel Macron’s succession of Arnaud Montebourg as Minister of Economy. Kron stepped down as CEO subsequent to this deal.
The divestiture generated significant debate within France due to the critical nature of the assets involved. This episode is frequently referenced as an illustration of U.S. economic coercion strategies, with accusations of hostage diplomacy connected to Alstom’s legal challenges in America. Nevertheless, Kron maintains that commercial considerations motivated the sale, highlighting GE’s stock depreciation after the acquisition contrasted with Alstom’s enhanced profitability.
In 2016, Kron established PKC&I, an international consultancy firm.
Other activities
- Imerys, Chairperson of the Board of Directors (since 2019)
- Holcim, Board Member (since 2017)
- Truffle Capital, Chairman (since 2016)
- Sanofi, Independent Director on the Board (since 2014)
- SEGULA Technologies, Board Member
- Viohalco, Non-Executive Director on the Board
Honours
Kron received the Légion d’honneur on 30 September 2004 and was named an Officer of the National Order of Merit on 18 November 2007.