Nicolas Huguet
President of the Franco-British Chamber
Nicolas Huguet is CEO of BT France
Françoise Rausch OBE
Vice President
With more than 40 years' experience as a manager in leading Anglo-Saxon industrial companies in the global construction and agricultural machinery markets, such as the British JCB group and the American Case group, F. Rausch has acquired an outstanding knowledge and expertise in international business relations at both a European and global level. After having been Chief Executive Officer of JCB SAS for 15 years, she joined the Case group as Vice President in charge of EAME. At the end of 2000, she returned to JCB headquarters to ensure the development of global sales as Managing Director of JCB Sales and a member of the World Executive Committee.
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In 2012, she was appointed Officer of the British Empire for services to British industry. Vice president of the Chamber, she was President from July 2023 to July 2026. Françoise is also Vice-President - Treasurer of the FICIME and Honorary Judicial Expert approved by the Court of Cassation
Marie-Christine Bilbow
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer – Treasurer
Marie-Christine Bilbow is the CEO of Euro Airship, a company that develops and markets rigid airships for the logistics, tourism and surveillance markets
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She has gained international experience in major industrial groups such as 3Com, Sterling Software, Assa Abloy, Brinks, Locatel. She has such held positions as CFO, subsidiary director and general manager.
She was appointed Vice President of the Franco-British Chamber in 2015, in charge of finance, where she brings her knowledge and experience to the Chamber's development and growth.
She was appointed Vice President of the Franco-British Chamber in 2015, in charge of finance, where she brings her knowledge and experience to the Chamber's development and growth.
Olivier Campenon
Vice Président & Chairman of the Cross-Channel Institute
Olivier Campenon was President of the Board and Executive Committee of the Lefebvre Dalloz group from 2018 to 2025. This European family group is one of the leaders in publishing and legal training with iconic brands such as Francis Lefebvre and Dalloz.
With more than 25 years of business management experience at BT (formerly British Telecom), Deutsch Telekom, Siris and AT&T, Olivier has built up a solid experience of the digital world and its multiple implications on all sectors of the economy.
With more than 25 years of business management experience at BT (formerly British Telecom), Deutsch Telekom, Siris and AT&T, Olivier has built up a solid experience of the digital world and its multiple implications on all sectors of the economy.
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Olivier is also Vice President of the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce, of which he was President for several years, particularly during the Brexit vote and its first consequences. He was made a Knight of the Franco-British Chamber in 2019. Since September 2023, he is Chairman of the Cross-channel institute, the Chamber's Independent and apolitical Think- Tank. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Professional Women Network and the ETI Club.
Loïc Chavaroche
Director
As Quality, Safety, Security, Environment, CSR and ESG Director for the Sterne Group, Loïc Chavaroche is involved in all the Sterne Group's Business Units - in France, Poland, Romania, Spain, China, Turkey and Russia.
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The action of the QSSE-RSE-ESG Department is to support the Operational Teams in the implementation of their structures, procedures, risk assessments, PUPA and PCA.
Sterne's actions enable Business Units to be certified according to ISO 9001 - ISO 14001 - ISO 13485 and soon under other standards.
Thier interventions structure the achievement of thier CSR and ESG objectives by deploying third party assessments with Ecovadis.
Sterne's actions enable Business Units to be certified according to ISO 9001 - ISO 14001 - ISO 13485 and soon under other standards.
Thier interventions structure the achievement of thier CSR and ESG objectives by deploying third party assessments with Ecovadis.
James Palmer
Director
James Palmer is a partner and co-founder of Orphéon Finance. He is Franco-British and has 25 years of experience in investor relations and financial communications with major companies. He has worked for companies such as PSA Peugeot Citroën, Rhodia and Lafarge. Today, with his team, he advises and assists many companies of all sizes and in different sectors, industry, finance, biotech/medtech.... whatever their strategic communication challenges are.
Yann Leriche
Director
Yann Leriche began his career in the public sector as a project manager for road infrastructure, before moving to the construction and operation of public transport systems sector.
After working at Bombardier Transportation, where he was Director of Guided Light Transit Systems, Yann Leriche joined the Transdev Group in 2008 as Managing Director of Transamo, then CEO of the German subsidiary Transdev SZ and Deputy Director of Transit Operations in North America in 2012.
After working at Bombardier Transportation, where he was Director of Guided Light Transit Systems, Yann Leriche joined the Transdev Group in 2008 as Managing Director of Transamo, then CEO of the German subsidiary Transdev SZ and Deputy Director of Transit Operations in North America in 2012.
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In 2014, he was appointed Director of Performance and member of the Executive Committee. From 2017 to 2020, he was Managing Director of Transdev North America, responsible for the Group’s US and Canadian operations (17,000 employees, $1.4 billion in revenue, 100 cities and metropolitan areas served by seven different modes of transport).
He was also responsible for the global development of the Transdev Group’s autonomous vehicle activities. Yann Leriche joined Getlink on 1 July 2020 as Chief Executive Officer and became a member of the Board of Directors of Getlink SE in 2021.
Since 2023, Yann Leriche is also a member of the Board of Air France KLM.
He is a graduate of École Polytechnique (1997), École des Ponts et Chaussées, Collège des Ingénieurs and ESCP-Europe.
He was also responsible for the global development of the Transdev Group’s autonomous vehicle activities. Yann Leriche joined Getlink on 1 July 2020 as Chief Executive Officer and became a member of the Board of Directors of Getlink SE in 2021.
Since 2023, Yann Leriche is also a member of the Board of Air France KLM.
He is a graduate of École Polytechnique (1997), École des Ponts et Chaussées, Collège des Ingénieurs and ESCP-Europe.
Guillaume Laurent
Director
Guillaume Laurent is Group International Affairs Officer at
ENGIE
ENGIE
Frédéric BEZIERS ROSE
Director
With 25 years of experience at Hays, Frédéric played a pivotal role in launching the company’s operations in France, joining the founding team in 2001. His career path—from Consultant to Chief Executive Officer—reflects a trajectory built on strategic vision, operational excellence, and strong leadership.
He led the nationwide expansion of Hays across all French regions, initiated the development of the HR Consulting division, and oversaw restructuring missions in both the Netherlands and London. More recently, Frédéric spearheaded the growth of Hays’ Tech business in France and launched new technology consulting services, reinforcing the company’s position in fast-evolving markets.
He led the nationwide expansion of Hays across all French regions, initiated the development of the HR Consulting division, and oversaw restructuring missions in both the Netherlands and London. More recently, Frédéric spearheaded the growth of Hays’ Tech business in France and launched new technology consulting services, reinforcing the company’s position in fast-evolving markets.
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Since May 2025, Frédéric has officially held the role of Chief Executive Officer of Hays France, Luxembourg & Marocco with a clear ambition: to drive innovation, accelerate growth, and deepen the company’s impact in recruitment and consulting.
Malik Abbassi-Antoine
Director
Malik is Regional Manager Western Europe and General Representative France at Lloyd's Insurance Company.
Eric Del Cotto
Director
Eric Del Cotto began his career at the age of 20 with 3M France, where he quickly rose through the ranks within the Healthcare division, first as a sales representative and then as a team manager. This early experience shaped his client-centric mindset, strategic thinking, and leadership.
In 2000, he was appointed General Manager of Mölnlycke Health Care France, supported by private equity firm Nordic Capital. He led a deep transformation of the organization before moving to the company’s Swedish headquarters in 2004 to serve as Global Marketing Director for the Surgical Division.
In 2000, he was appointed General Manager of Mölnlycke Health Care France, supported by private equity firm Nordic Capital. He led a deep transformation of the organization before moving to the company’s Swedish headquarters in 2004 to serve as Global Marketing Director for the Surgical Division.
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Returning to France in 2006, he became General Manager of KCI Medical, where he successfully repositioned the company in the field of innovative medical devices.
In 2013, he joined the UK-based mid-cap company Owen Mumford as Managing Director for Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He drove strong growth and positioned the company among the market leaders in its sector.
In 2023, he became an independent board member at Regen Lab, and in 2025, he founded EFFIPERF, a company dedicated to strategic advisory services and team development.
Throughout his career, he has combined performance with human commitment, driven by strong values, a demanding ethical framework, and continuous learning — including an MBA in Strategy and Economic Intelligence obtained in 2016.
He currently serves on the boards of:
· The Franco-British Chamber
· Club XXIe Siècle, where he leads work on independent directorship
· Les Entretiens de l’Excellence
He has also served as a board member of SNITEM, as President of CJD Lille Métropole, and as Vice-President of ACL Santé.
In 2013, he joined the UK-based mid-cap company Owen Mumford as Managing Director for Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He drove strong growth and positioned the company among the market leaders in its sector.
In 2023, he became an independent board member at Regen Lab, and in 2025, he founded EFFIPERF, a company dedicated to strategic advisory services and team development.
Throughout his career, he has combined performance with human commitment, driven by strong values, a demanding ethical framework, and continuous learning — including an MBA in Strategy and Economic Intelligence obtained in 2016.
He currently serves on the boards of:
· The Franco-British Chamber
· Club XXIe Siècle, where he leads work on independent directorship
· Les Entretiens de l’Excellence
He has also served as a board member of SNITEM, as President of CJD Lille Métropole, and as Vice-President of ACL Santé.
Franck TIRAVY
Director
Franck Tiravy is President of BP France
Jacques Damas
Director
Jacques Damas is Acting Director, Risks, Audits, Safety & Security, SNCF Group
Kate Thornley
Deputy Trade Commissioner for Europe and Director of Trade and Investment for France
Kate Thornley is the Deputy Trade Commissioner for Europe and Director of Trade and Investment for France at the British Embassy in Paris, a role she has held since April 2026. Prior to this appointment, she served as Chief Negotiator for the UK–India trade negotiations, culminating in the conclusion of the UK–India trade agreement in 2025. Kate joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 2011, and subsequently held a number of positions including postings to Pakistan and Brazil. In 2018, Kate joined the Department for Business and Trade as Deputy Director for Bilateral Trade Relations, where she was responsible for advancing the UK’s trade relationships across multiple regions. Kate is fluent in French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Damian Allinson
UK Trade Counsellor for France
Damian Allinson has served as the UK Trade Counsellor for France at the British Embassy Paris since June 2026. Prior to this, he spent a number of years posted to the Middle East: in Trade Director roles at the British Embassies in Baghdad & Riyadh; and as the UK’s first Trade Representative to Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. Damian joined HM Government in 2018 after previously working as an EU policy advisor at EY. He held diplomatic roles in the FCO, DExEU and No10 as part of the team that negotiated the UK-EU deal, before joining DBT to lead HMG’s digital trade negotiations. Damian read History & French at the University of York and Université Francois-Rabelais, before completing a Masters in EU & International Relations at the Collège d’Europe.
Catherine Le Yaouanc OBE
General Manager, Franco-British Chamber
Catherine has been the General Manager of the Franco-British Chamber since 1993, when she accepted the challenge of the Chamber's financial recovery, the creation of new services and the development of membership. Projects to which will be added include numerous innovations in event typology, the development of new digital media and the Brexit challenge since 2016, which led to the creation in 2019 of the Think Tank, Cross-Channel Institute
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The Franco-British Chamber is today one of the most dynamic chambers of commerce in the United Kingdom on European soil, and has been awarded numerous prizes (Events, Membership and Digital communication...). For her 20 years in the Chamber in 2013, her European peers awarded her "The Howard Rosen Special Award for Excellence". The number of memberships is constantly growing with a high attractiveness factor for all types of members – President’s Forum, Corporate and Entrepreneurs.
Catherine previously held positions in a Special Products Export Department of the Elf Atochem-Ceca group. She is also a board member for the Fondation Franco-Britannique de la Colony de Sillery.
Catherine previously held positions in a Special Products Export Department of the Elf Atochem-Ceca group. She is also a board member for the Fondation Franco-Britannique de la Colony de Sillery.
