Jean Gandois
Encyclopedia
Jean Gandois is a French businessman.
, where he graduated in 1949, as an engineer of bridges & road construction.
, as an expert for the road programs of Brazil
and Peru
. In 1961 he returned to France and worked for the Wendel Group. After various positions, in 1972, he became general manager of Sacilor, then Chairman and managing Director of Sollac. In 1976 he started working at the Rhône-Poulenc
, eventually becoming Chief Executive Officer. He left the group in 1982 and until 1986 he worked as an international consultant. In 1986 he became Chairman and managing Director of the Pechiney Group. He left them in 1994 to take the chair of the National Council of French Employers (CNPF
, old name of Medef). Feeling betrayed by the government, he resigned in 1997 after the socialist government voted a law for the 35 hours work week. From 1987 to 1999 he worked as a crisis manager for Cockerill Sambre. He is currently a president of the board of trustees of Suez. He is a member of the Belgian businessclub Cercle de Lorraine
.
In 1995 he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia
(AM), "for service to Australian-French relations, particularly in the business sphere".
Education
He is a former pupil of the French École polytechniqueÉcole Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
, where he graduated in 1949, as an engineer of bridges & road construction.
Career
From 1954 to 1960 he worked on public projects in GuineaGuinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, as an expert for the road programs of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. In 1961 he returned to France and worked for the Wendel Group. After various positions, in 1972, he became general manager of Sacilor, then Chairman and managing Director of Sollac. In 1976 he started working at the Rhône-Poulenc
Rhône-Poulenc
-History of the company:The Company was founded in 1928 through the merger of Société des Usines Chimiques du Rhône from Lyon and Établissements Poulenc Frères from Paris founded by Étienne Poulenc, a 19th century Parisian apothecary and brought to prominence by his second and third sons Emile...
, eventually becoming Chief Executive Officer. He left the group in 1982 and until 1986 he worked as an international consultant. In 1986 he became Chairman and managing Director of the Pechiney Group. He left them in 1994 to take the chair of the National Council of French Employers (CNPF
CNPF
The CNPF was a union of employers created in December 1945 on request of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, which wanted a representative organization of all of the employers...
, old name of Medef). Feeling betrayed by the government, he resigned in 1997 after the socialist government voted a law for the 35 hours work week. From 1987 to 1999 he worked as a crisis manager for Cockerill Sambre. He is currently a president of the board of trustees of Suez. He is a member of the Belgian businessclub Cercle de Lorraine
Cercle de Lorraine
The Cercle de Lorraine or Club van Lotharingen is a Belgian business club, located in Uccle, Belgium. The club was founded in Brussels in 1998, and it wants to bring together, distinguished and representative personalities from the Belgian financial community, French speaking as well as Dutch...
.
In 1995 he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AM), "for service to Australian-French relations, particularly in the business sphere".