Catherine Le Yaouanc OBE
General Manager, Franco-British Chamber
Catherine Le Yaouanc OBE is a leading figure in Franco-British business relations, with more than three decades of experience promoting economic, commercial and institutional ties between France and the United Kingdom.
She has served as General Manager of the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 1993, having originally been appointed to contribute to the organisation’s financial recovery and subsequently overseeing its development, expansion of membership and diversification of services. Over the course of her tenure, she has established herself as a key interlocutor for companies, business leaders and institutions engaged in cross-Channel trade and investment.
Her work has extended beyond the direct interests of the Chamber to encompass the broader economic relationship between France and the United Kingdom. In particular, she has played an active role in fostering dialogue between the two business communities in the context of Brexit and its aftermath. In 2019, the Franco-British Chamber established the Cross-Channel Institute, a think tank dedicated to analysing and strengthening economic relations between the two countries. Catherine Le Yaouanc has been closely involved in the Institute’s work and in the production and dissemination of its economic research.
She is also associated with a number of publications examining the state and evolution of Franco-British economic relations. In her capacity as Director of Publication, she has contributed to the development of research and sectoral analyses covering areas of strategic importance to both economies.
Her contribution to Franco-British relations has received recognition on both sides of the Channel. In 2013, marking her twentieth anniversary at the Franco-British Chamber, she received the Howard Rosen Special Award for Excellence, an honour presented by her European counterparts in recognition of her professional contribution.
She has served as General Manager of the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry since 1993, having originally been appointed to contribute to the organisation’s financial recovery and subsequently overseeing its development, expansion of membership and diversification of services. Over the course of her tenure, she has established herself as a key interlocutor for companies, business leaders and institutions engaged in cross-Channel trade and investment.
Her work has extended beyond the direct interests of the Chamber to encompass the broader economic relationship between France and the United Kingdom. In particular, she has played an active role in fostering dialogue between the two business communities in the context of Brexit and its aftermath. In 2019, the Franco-British Chamber established the Cross-Channel Institute, a think tank dedicated to analysing and strengthening economic relations between the two countries. Catherine Le Yaouanc has been closely involved in the Institute’s work and in the production and dissemination of its economic research.
She is also associated with a number of publications examining the state and evolution of Franco-British economic relations. In her capacity as Director of Publication, she has contributed to the development of research and sectoral analyses covering areas of strategic importance to both economies.
Her contribution to Franco-British relations has received recognition on both sides of the Channel. In 2013, marking her twentieth anniversary at the Franco-British Chamber, she received the Howard Rosen Special Award for Excellence, an honour presented by her European counterparts in recognition of her professional contribution.
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In the 2024 New Year Honours, Catherine Le Yaouanc was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to UK/France trade. The distinction formally recognises her longstanding contribution to strengthening commercial and economic relations between the United Kingdom and France.
Prior to joining the Franco-British Chamber, Catherine Le Yaouanc worked in the export division of Elf Atochem-Ceca, gaining experience in international business and trade that subsequently informed her work in Franco-British economic relations.
Alongside her executive responsibilities, she has contributed to the governance and activities of organisations connected with the Franco-British relationship. She has served on the board of the Fondation Franco-Britannique de Sillery and has participated in wider business and institutional networks, including the British Chambers of Commerce ecosystem.
Her appointment as an OBE represents the formal recognition of more than thirty years of sustained engagement with UK-France trade and economic relations and reflects the broader importance of her contribution to the Franco-British business community
Prior to joining the Franco-British Chamber, Catherine Le Yaouanc worked in the export division of Elf Atochem-Ceca, gaining experience in international business and trade that subsequently informed her work in Franco-British economic relations.
Alongside her executive responsibilities, she has contributed to the governance and activities of organisations connected with the Franco-British relationship. She has served on the board of the Fondation Franco-Britannique de Sillery and has participated in wider business and institutional networks, including the British Chambers of Commerce ecosystem.
Her appointment as an OBE represents the formal recognition of more than thirty years of sustained engagement with UK-France trade and economic relations and reflects the broader importance of her contribution to the Franco-British business community
Marie-Christine Bilbow
Vice President - CFO- Franco British Chamber
Marie-Christine Bilbow is the CEO of Euro Airship, a company that develops and markets rigid airships for the logistics, tourism and surveillance markets
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 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.
Jerome TESTUT
Head of Communications, Marketing and Partnerships - Coordinator, The cross-Channel Institute
Jerome started his career at Paris EUROPLACE, where he was in charge of promoting the Paris financial market internationally (North America, Asia, Middle East). He then spent almost 10 years in Los Angeles, USA, where he participated in the development of the image and reputation of two French scale-ups on the American continent. Back in Europe, Jérôme is delighted to join the Chamber and to contribute to the development of Franco-British business relations.
Hubert Dupont Lhotelain
Administrateur - Développement Commercial
Hubert Dupont L’hotelain was Treasurer of Vivendi from 1995 to 2016. Prior to that, Hubert was Treasurer of Compagnie Générale des Eaux, Aérospatiale and Atochem, three French CAC 40 companies. He also has experience as a banker, as Director of Development at BFT (formerly CCF Group, now HSBC France) for two years, and as a Director of the Global Treasury Advisory Board of Citibank for five years.
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His personal experience was built between France and Great Britain where he lived for 15 years. He has adopted a bi cultural attitude in his relationships, trying to make the most of two exceptionally rich lifestyles. After leaving Vivendi, Hubert joined the Franco-British Chamber to develop activities and memberships, and has been a Director since 2017.
Jill Ledger
Communications
De nationalité britannique et résidant en France depuis 30 ans, Jill Ledger met à la disposition de la Chambre l’expérience de ses 25 ans de métier de directrice de la communication d'entreprise cotée, exercée dans l'industrie internationale ainsi que sa double culture franco-britannique.
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A travers sa société Jill&Co Bilingual Communications, elle exerce une activité de conseil en communication stratégique aux entreprises, en France et à l’international. Véritable partenaire d'affaires de ses clients, elle est reconnue pour son leadership d'équipe et sa plume creative en anglais et en français.
Greg Williams
Formation linguistique & Certifications
Formation linguistique & Certifications
Greg WILLIAMS est formateur-coach linguistique depuis plus de 30 ans sur Paris et sa région. Avec ses origines franco-britanniques et une enfance dans un contexte international, il a pu acquérir une expérience variée et riche en expériences diverses de part le monde.
Son parcours professionnel lui a valu d'intervenir dans des secteurs très variés et auprès de publics divers au cours de sa carrière : le transport/logistique, la pharmaceutique et cosmétique, le marketing, l'humanitaire ou l'audiovisuel. Il est également très impliqué dans le développement professionnel des formateurs d’anglais en France via l’association The Language Network.
Greg WILLIAMS est formateur-coach linguistique depuis plus de 30 ans sur Paris et sa région. Avec ses origines franco-britanniques et une enfance dans un contexte international, il a pu acquérir une expérience variée et riche en expériences diverses de part le monde.
Son parcours professionnel lui a valu d'intervenir dans des secteurs très variés et auprès de publics divers au cours de sa carrière : le transport/logistique, la pharmaceutique et cosmétique, le marketing, l'humanitaire ou l'audiovisuel. Il est également très impliqué dans le développement professionnel des formateurs d’anglais en France via l’association The Language Network.
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Depuis janvier 2024, Greg est responsable de la gestion et développement des certifications d’anglais professionnel de la Franco-British Chamber. Ces certifications comme le BEST (Business English Skills Test) et le DBE (Diploma of Business English) sont déclinés dans les différentes versions pour tester les professionnels dans leurs domaines spécifiques (le transport, le juridique, le tourisme, etc.) et sont reconnus par le Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe.
Véronique Campenon
Administrative Assistant
After an initial training in tourism, Véronique worked for ten years in the direct marketing subsidiary of RSCG (Havas Worldwide). She has now been a student at the Collège des Bernardins for 11 years. She is looking forward to joining a team with an international outlook. Her guiding principle is to communicate and create links in order to move forward together!
