Pierre Gadonneix
Pierre Gadonneix | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1943 New York City, United States |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of EDF (2004–2009), Chairman and CEO of Gaz de France (1996–2004) |
Pierre Gadonneix (born 10 January 1943) is a prominent French executive who held the positions of chairman and CEO at EDF between 2004 and 2009.
Biography
Pierre Gadonneix earned a doctorate in business economics from Harvard Business School, complemented by degrees from École Polytechnique (class of 1962) and the École Nationale Supérieure du Pétrole et des Moteurs, specializing in economics.
His leadership roles include serving as chairman and CEO of the Gaz de France group from 1996 until 2004. He initially joined Gaz de France as CEO in 1987 and was reappointed to the dual role of chairman and CEO in 1999. Prior to this, between 1978 and 1987, he oversaw Metallurgical, Engineering, and Electrical Industries at the Ministry of Industry, playing a key role in restructuring France’s steel sector.
In 1976, Gadonneix was appointed technical advisor to the Minister of Industry and Research. Before that, starting in 1972, he managed the Institut de Développement Industriel (IDI), a major French investment fund dedicated to small and medium enterprises.
He founded SEFI, a computer services firm employing approximately fifty engineers, which he led until it was acquired in 1972. His professional journey began in 1966 at Elf Aquitaine Group where he worked as an engineer before transitioning to its commercial department.
On the international stage, Gadonneix was chosen as chairman of the World Energy Council for the term 2007–2010 after serving as European vice chairman beginning in 2004. He also chaired the Conseil Français de l’Energie from 1993 to 1999 and holds membership in the Conseil Economique et Social.
His board memberships encompass several major industrial companies including EDF (1978–87), Elf-Erap (1988–95), Usinor (1982–87), Renault (1978–87), SNCF (1983–87), and France Telecom (1998–2003). Additionally, he serves on the board of the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques.
Gadonneix’s doctoral dissertation at Harvard in 1975 was entitled "An attempt to meet the US challenge in the French computer industry." He also taught economics at École Polytechnique from 1983 until 1992.
He has been honored as a commander in several prestigious orders: the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the National Order of Merit, and the Order of Arts and Letters. Born in New York City, Gadonneix is married and has three children.