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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Laurent Mignon
| name = Laurent Mignon
| nationality = French
| nationality = French
| occupation   = Business executive, investment manager
| occupation = Business executive, banker
| known_for   = Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]]; Group CEO of [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]]; Board member of [[LVMH]]
| known_for = Chairman of Groupe BPCE, Group CEO of Wendel, Board member of LVMH
| title       = Group Chief Executive Officer, Wendel
| title = Group Chief Executive Officer, Wendel
}}
}}


'''Laurent Mignon''' is a French business executive who has held senior leadership positions across the banking, investment, and insurance sectors in France. He served as Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]], one of France's largest banking groups, and subsequently became Group Chief Executive Officer of [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]], a prominent French investment firm listed on the [[CAC 40]].<ref name="wwdlvmh">{{cite news |date=2023-03-15 |title=LVMH Taps Seasoned Finance Executive for Board |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/lvmh-selects-seasoned-finance-executive-laurent-mignon-board-of-directors-1235584396/ |work=WWD |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In September 2022, Mignon was appointed Chairman of the [[Fédération bancaire française|French Banking Federation]] (Fédération bancaire française, or FBF), succeeding Nicolas Théry of [[Crédit Mutuel]].<ref name="fbf">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon appointed Chairman of the French Banking Federation from 1 September 2022 |url=https://www.fbf.fr/en/laurent-mignon-appointed-chairman-of-the-french-banking-federation-from-1-september-2022/ |publisher=Fédération bancaire française |date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In 2023, French luxury conglomerate [[LVMH]] proposed his appointment to its Board of Directors, a move that underscored his standing in French corporate governance circles.<ref name="theindustry">{{cite news |date=2023-03-16 |title=LVMH is set to appoint finance maven to its Board of Directors |url=https://theindustry.beauty/lvmh-is-set-to-appoint-finance-maven-to-its-board-of-directors/ |work=TheIndustry.beauty |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Throughout his career, Mignon has been recognized as a significant figure in French finance, holding positions that have placed him at the intersection of banking, private equity, and corporate strategy.
'''Laurent Mignon''' is a French business executive and banker who has held senior leadership positions across several of France's largest financial and industrial institutions. He served as Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]], one of France's leading banking groups, before assuming the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]], a prominent French investment firm. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Mignon served as Chairman of the [[Fédération bancaire française|French Banking Federation]] (Fédération bancaire française, or FBF) beginning in September 2022, succeeding Nicolas Théry of [[Crédit Mutuel]].<ref name="fbf">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon appointed Chairman of the French Banking Federation from 1 September 2022 |url=https://www.fbf.fr/en/laurent-mignon-appointed-chairman-of-the-french-banking-federation-from-1-september-2022/ |publisher=Fédération bancaire française |date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In 2023, French luxury conglomerate [[LVMH]] proposed his appointment to its Board of Directors, a move that underscored his standing within the upper echelons of French corporate governance.<ref name="wwd">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-03-15 |title=LVMH Taps Seasoned Finance Executive for Board |url=https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/lvmh-selects-seasoned-finance-executive-laurent-mignon-board-of-directors-1235584396/ |work=WWD |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Mignon's career has spanned banking, insurance, asset management, and private equity, placing him at the center of France's financial landscape for more than two decades.


== Career ==
== Career ==
Laurent Mignon's career has been defined by leadership roles at some of France's most significant financial institutions. His progression through the French banking and investment sectors has encompassed retail banking, insurance, asset management, and investment holding companies.


=== Groupe BPCE ===
=== Groupe BPCE ===


Laurent Mignon served as Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]], the second-largest banking group in France. Groupe BPCE is the parent entity of the [[Banque Populaire]] and [[Caisse d'Épargne]] retail banking networks, as well as [[Natixis]], the group's corporate and investment banking, asset management, insurance, and payments arm. In this capacity, Mignon oversaw the strategic direction of a banking group with a significant presence in French retail banking and international financial markets.
Mignon served as Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]], one of France's largest banking groups. Groupe BPCE, formed from the merger of the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne networks, is a major cooperative banking institution with significant retail, corporate, and investment banking operations across France and internationally.


During his tenure at Groupe BPCE, Mignon was an active participant in public discussions concerning the French economy and the role of banks in supporting business growth. In June 2021, he participated in the eighth edition of the "Big Bang des Entreprises," an event organized by the French newspaper ''[[Le Figaro]]'', which brought together business leaders and policymakers to discuss economic challenges and opportunities facing French enterprises.<ref name="bigbang">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon at the Big Bang des Entreprises organized by the Le Figaro newspaper |url=https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-at-the-big-bang-des-entreprises-organized-by-the-le-figaro-newspaper/ |publisher=Groupe BPCE |date=2021-06-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His presence at such high-profile events reflected the significance of Groupe BPCE within the French financial landscape and Mignon's role as a spokesperson for the banking sector.
In his capacity as Chairman of the Management Board, Mignon represented the group at major public forums and industry events. In June 2021, he participated in the 8th edition of the "Big Bang des Entreprises," a business event organized by the French newspaper ''[[Le Figaro]]''.<ref name="bigbang">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon at the Big Bang des Entreprises organized by the Le Figaro newspaper |url=https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-at-the-big-bang-des-entreprises-organized-by-the-le-figaro-newspaper/ |publisher=Groupe BPCE |date=2021-06-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This event, held on June 3, 2021, brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing French companies.


In July 2022, Groupe BPCE announced that Mignon would become President of the French Banking Federation (FBF) effective September 1, 2022, replacing Nicolas Théry, Chairman of [[Crédit Mutuel]], who had held the position previously.<ref name="bpce-fbf">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon to become President of the FBF in September 2022 |url=https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-becomes-president-of-the-french-banking-federation-as-of-september-1-2022/ |publisher=Groupe BPCE |date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The FBF is the professional body representing all banks operating in France and plays a key role in shaping banking policy, regulatory engagement, and the industry's public communications. The chairmanship of the FBF rotates among the heads of France's major banking groups, and Mignon's appointment was consistent with the customary rotation of the role among leaders of the country's principal financial institutions.<ref name="fbf"/>
In July 2022, it was announced that Mignon would become President of the French Banking Federation (FBF) effective September 1, 2022, replacing Nicolas Théry, who had served as Chairman of Crédit Mutuel.<ref name="bpce_fbf">{{cite web |title=Laurent Mignon to become President of the FBF in September 2022 |url=https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-becomes-president-of-the-french-banking-federation-as-of-september-1-2022/ |publisher=Groupe BPCE |date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The FBF serves as the professional organization representing all banks operating in France, and the chairmanship of this body is one of the most prominent positions in French financial governance.


=== Wendel ===
=== French Banking Federation ===


Following his tenure at Groupe BPCE, Laurent Mignon assumed the role of Group Chief Executive Officer at [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]], one of France's oldest and most prominent investment firms.<ref name="wwdlvmh"/> Wendel, which is listed on the [[Euronext Paris]] stock exchange and is a component of the [[CAC 40]], has a history stretching back more than three centuries. The firm operates as a long-term investor, taking significant stakes in companies across a range of sectors including industrial services, technology, and financial services.
On September 1, 2022, Laurent Mignon formally assumed the chairmanship of the French Banking Federation, succeeding Nicolas Théry.<ref name="fbf" /> The FBF represents banking institutions operating within France and serves as the sector's primary interlocutor with government authorities, regulators, and international banking organizations. The position of FBF Chairman rotates among the heads of France's major banking groups, and Mignon's appointment reflected both his seniority within the French banking sector and the prominence of Groupe BPCE among France's banking networks.


Under Mignon's leadership, Wendel has pursued an active acquisition and investment strategy. In late 2023, the ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported that Wendel was seeking further deals in the private equity industry following its acquisition of a controlling stake in IK Partners, a UK-based buyout firm.<ref name="ft-wendel">{{cite news |date=2023-11-11 |title=Wendel seeks further private equity deals after IK partners investment |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0fc7f24d-bd19-42dd-99a8-ecb27adef564 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The acquisition of IK Partners represented a significant strategic move for Wendel, marking its entry into the private equity fund management business and signaling ambitions to expand its footprint in the alternative asset management space.
As FBF Chairman, Mignon was tasked with representing the interests of the French banking sector during a period of significant economic and regulatory change in Europe, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and evolving European banking regulations. The appointment was announced jointly by the FBF and Groupe BPCE in July 2022.<ref name="bpce_fbf" /><ref name="fbf" />


In October 2025, it was reported that Wendel Group was in negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in Committed Advisors, a French private equity secondaries specialist managing approximately €6 billion in assets.<ref name="altwatch">{{cite news |date=2025-10-24 |title=Wendel to buy majority stake in €6bn secondaries manager Committed Advisors |url=https://www.alternativeswatch.com/2025/10/24/wendel-group-france-majority-stake-secondaries-manager-committed-advisors/ |work=Alternatives Watch |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This potential deal further illustrated the firm's strategy under Mignon to build a diversified platform in alternative asset management, extending from direct buyouts through IK Partners into the secondaries market through Committed Advisors.
=== Wendel ===


Wendel is also notable for its significant investment holdings. The firm holds a 35.5% stake in [[Bureau Veritas]], a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, near Paris.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bureau Veritas |url=http://www.bureauveritas.com/ |publisher=Bureau Veritas |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wendel Group |url=https://www.wendelgroup.com/fr |publisher=Wendel |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Bureau Veritas operates in 140 countries with over 79,000 employees and generated $6.34 billion in revenue in 2024. As CEO of Wendel, Mignon oversees the management of this significant portfolio holding, among other investments.
Following his tenure at Groupe BPCE, Laurent Mignon became Group Chief Executive Officer of [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]], one of France's oldest and most established investment firms. Wendel, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, has a long history as a family-controlled holding company with investments spanning industrial, financial, and technology sectors.<ref name="wendel_site">{{cite web |title=Wendel Group |url=https://www.wendelgroup.com/fr |publisher=Wendel |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Board Memberships and Industry Roles ===
Under Mignon's leadership, Wendel pursued an active strategy of expansion into private equity and alternative asset management. In November 2023, the ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported that Wendel was seeking further acquisitions in the private equity industry following its acquisition of a controlling stake in UK-based buyout firm IK Partners.<ref name="ft_wendel">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-11-11 |title=Wendel seeks further private equity deals after IK partners investment |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0fc7f24d-bd19-42dd-99a8-ecb27adef564 |work=Financial Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The acquisition of IK Partners marked a significant strategic shift for Wendel, signaling the firm's ambition to build a broader alternative asset management platform alongside its traditional investment holding activities.


==== French Banking Federation ====
In October 2025, Wendel was reported to be in negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in Committed Advisors, a private equity secondaries specialist managing approximately €6 billion in assets.<ref name="aw_committed">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-10-24 |title=Wendel to buy majority stake in €6bn secondaries manager Committed Advisors |url=https://www.alternativeswatch.com/2025/10/24/wendel-group-france-majority-stake-secondaries-manager-committed-advisors/ |work=Alternatives Watch |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> This proposed acquisition, if completed, would further consolidate Wendel's position in the European alternative investment management industry. The move into secondaries—a growing segment of private equity focused on the buying and selling of existing fund commitments—represented an expansion of Wendel's strategy into new areas of asset management under Mignon's direction.


Laurent Mignon was appointed Chairman of the [[Fédération bancaire française|French Banking Federation]] (FBF) on September 1, 2022.<ref name="fbf"/> The FBF represents all banks operating in France and serves as the primary interlocutor between the banking industry and French and European regulatory authorities. In this role, Mignon succeeded Nicolas Théry, Chairman of [[Crédit Mutuel]].<ref name="bpce-fbf"/> The chairmanship of the FBF is a prominent position within French financial circles, as the federation plays a significant role in shaping policy discussions on topics such as banking regulation, consumer protection, sustainable finance, and the digital transformation of financial services.
Wendel's portfolio also includes a significant stake in [[Bureau Veritas]], the French testing, inspection, and certification company. Bureau Veritas, in which Wendel holds a 35.5% ownership stake, is a CAC 40 constituent and one of the world's largest companies in its sector, operating in 140 countries with approximately 79,000 employees and generating $6.34 billion in revenue in 2024.<ref name="wendel_site" /> The management of this stake in Bureau Veritas is a key component of Wendel's investment portfolio.


==== LVMH Board of Directors ====
=== Board Membership at LVMH ===


In March 2023, [[LVMH]], the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, announced that it would propose the appointment of Laurent Mignon as a new member of its Board of Directors.<ref name="theindustry"/> At the time of the announcement, Mignon was identified as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Wendel.<ref name="wwdlvmh"/> ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' (WWD) described Mignon as a "seasoned finance executive," noting that his appointment to the LVMH board reflected the conglomerate's interest in adding financial expertise to its governance structure.<ref name="wwdlvmh"/> The appointment to the board of LVMH, whose portfolio includes brands such as [[Louis Vuitton]], [[Christian Dior SE|Dior]], and [[Moët Hennessy]], placed Mignon among a select group of business leaders entrusted with overseeing one of France's most valuable and internationally prominent companies.
In March 2023, [[LVMH]], the French luxury goods conglomerate and one of the world's most valuable companies, announced that it would propose the appointment of Laurent Mignon as a new member of its Board of Directors.<ref name="wwd" /> At the time of the announcement, Mignon was identified as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Wendel.<ref name="wwd" />


==== TotalEnergies Board of Directors ====
The appointment was covered by several media outlets, including ''[[Women's Wear Daily]]'' (WWD), which described Mignon as a "seasoned finance executive," and ''TheIndustry.beauty'', which characterized him as a "finance maven."<ref name="wwd" /><ref name="theindustry">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-03-16 |title=LVMH is set to appoint finance maven to its Board of Directors |url=https://theindustry.beauty/lvmh-is-set-to-appoint-finance-maven-to-its-board-of-directors/ |work=TheIndustry.beauty |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The proposed appointment to the LVMH board placed Mignon alongside one of the most prominent collections of directors in French corporate life, reflecting his reputation in the French business community.


In March 2025, [[TotalEnergies]], the French multinational energy company, published the convening notice for its Annual Shareholders' Meeting scheduled for May 23, 2025. Documents associated with the meeting indicated Laurent Mignon's involvement with the company's governance.<ref name="totalenergies">{{cite web |title=Convening of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on May 23, 2025 |url=https://totalenergies.com/news/press-releases/convening-annual-shareholders-meeting-may-23-2025 |publisher=TotalEnergies |date=2025-03-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His association with TotalEnergies further demonstrates the breadth of his corporate governance engagements across major French and European companies.
=== Board Membership at TotalEnergies ===
 
Laurent Mignon also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of [[TotalEnergies]], the French multinational integrated energy company. In March 2025, TotalEnergies announced the convening of its Annual Shareholders' Meeting, scheduled for May 23, 2025, at which the Board of Directors—of which Mignon is a member—had met under the chairmanship of Patrick Pouyanné.<ref name="total">{{cite web |title=Convening of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on May 23, 2025 |url=https://totalenergies.com/news/press-releases/convening-annual-shareholders-meeting-may-23-2025 |publisher=TotalEnergies |date=2025-03-24 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His presence on the TotalEnergies board further illustrates his cross-sector involvement in French corporate governance, extending beyond banking and investment into the energy sector.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Laurent Mignon's career has been marked by appointments to leadership positions at some of France's most significant financial and corporate institutions. His selection as Chairman of the Management Board of [[Groupe BPCE]], one of the country's largest banking groups, placed him among the senior leaders of the French banking industry. His subsequent appointment as Chairman of the [[Fédération bancaire française|French Banking Federation]] in September 2022 represented recognition by his peers in the banking sector of his leadership and standing within the profession.<ref name="fbf"/><ref name="bpce-fbf"/>
Laurent Mignon's appointments to the chairmanship of the French Banking Federation and to the boards of LVMH and TotalEnergies represent significant markers of recognition within the French business establishment. The chairmanship of the FBF, in particular, is reserved for the leaders of France's foremost banking institutions and serves as an acknowledgment of both personal standing and institutional importance.<ref name="fbf" /><ref name="bpce_fbf" />


His transition to [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]] as Group CEO extended his influence beyond traditional banking into the investment and private equity sphere. The firm's status as a component of the [[CAC 40]] index underscores the scale and significance of the enterprise he leads.<ref name="ft-wendel"/>
His appointment to the LVMH Board of Directors in 2023 was noted in the international business press, with ''WWD'' and ''TheIndustry.beauty'' highlighting his extensive finance background as a factor in the luxury conglomerate's decision.<ref name="wwd" /><ref name="theindustry" /> Board positions at companies of the scale and visibility of LVMH and TotalEnergies are among the most prominent in European corporate governance, and Mignon's inclusion on both boards reflects the breadth of his reputation across industries.


The decision by [[LVMH]] to propose Mignon as a member of its Board of Directors in 2023 was described by industry media as a reflection of his established reputation in finance and corporate governance.<ref name="wwdlvmh"/><ref name="theindustry"/> His selection for the board of the world's largest luxury goods conglomerate, alongside his role on the governance structures of other major companies, positioned Mignon as one of the most connected corporate figures in France.
The ''Financial Times'' coverage of Wendel's strategic expansion under Mignon's leadership also pointed to his role in reshaping the firm's direction, particularly through its acquisitions in the private equity sector.<ref name="ft_wendel" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Laurent Mignon's career trajectory illustrates the interconnected nature of French corporate governance, where senior leaders of banking groups, investment firms, and major industrial conglomerates frequently serve in overlapping roles across the country's largest enterprises. His movement from the leadership of [[Groupe BPCE]] to the helm of [[Wendel (company)|Wendel]], combined with board positions at [[LVMH]] and engagements with [[TotalEnergies]], reflects a pattern of cross-sector leadership that is characteristic of the upper echelons of French business.
Laurent Mignon's career trajectory illustrates the interconnected nature of France's corporate and financial elite. Through his leadership of Groupe BPCE, one of the country's largest cooperative banking groups, his chairmanship of the French Banking Federation, his role as Group CEO of Wendel, and his board memberships at LVMH and TotalEnergies, Mignon has been a participant in and architect of significant developments in French banking, investment, and corporate governance.
 
At Wendel, Mignon has led the firm's strategic pivot toward building a platform in alternative asset management, as evidenced by the acquisition of IK Partners and the reported negotiations for Committed Advisors.<ref name="ft-wendel"/><ref name="altwatch"/> This approach has positioned Wendel to compete with larger global alternative asset managers while leveraging its historical strengths as a long-term investor. The success or failure of this strategic direction will be a defining aspect of Mignon's legacy at the firm.


His tenure as Chairman of the French Banking Federation, while a rotational role, placed him at the center of policy discussions at a time when the European banking industry was grappling with the implications of rising interest rates, digital transformation, and the regulatory demands of sustainable finance.<ref name="fbf"/>
At Wendel, Mignon has overseen a strategic transformation of the firm from a traditional investment holding company toward a more diversified alternative asset management platform. The acquisitions of IK Partners and the proposed acquisition of Committed Advisors represent a clear strategic pivot that has reshaped Wendel's identity in the European investment landscape.<ref name="ft_wendel" /><ref name="aw_committed" />


As of 2025, Mignon continues to serve as Group CEO of Wendel and maintains his positions on the boards of major French corporations, ensuring his continued influence in French and European business affairs.
His tenure at the head of the FBF placed him at the center of policy discussions affecting the entire French banking sector during a period of macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory evolution. The combination of executive leadership, industry representation, and board-level governance across banking, luxury goods, energy, and private equity marks Mignon as one of the more broadly engaged figures in contemporary French business.


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 05:36, 24 February 2026




Laurent Mignon
NationalityFrench
OccupationBusiness executive, banker
TitleGroup Chief Executive Officer, Wendel
Known forChairman of Groupe BPCE, Group CEO of Wendel, Board member of LVMH

Laurent Mignon is a French business executive and banker who has held senior leadership positions across several of France's largest financial and industrial institutions. He served as Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe BPCE, one of France's leading banking groups, before assuming the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of Wendel, a prominent French investment firm. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Mignon served as Chairman of the French Banking Federation (Fédération bancaire française, or FBF) beginning in September 2022, succeeding Nicolas Théry of Crédit Mutuel.[1] In 2023, French luxury conglomerate LVMH proposed his appointment to its Board of Directors, a move that underscored his standing within the upper echelons of French corporate governance.[2] Mignon's career has spanned banking, insurance, asset management, and private equity, placing him at the center of France's financial landscape for more than two decades.

Career

Laurent Mignon's career has been defined by leadership roles at some of France's most significant financial institutions. His progression through the French banking and investment sectors has encompassed retail banking, insurance, asset management, and investment holding companies.

Groupe BPCE

Mignon served as Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe BPCE, one of France's largest banking groups. Groupe BPCE, formed from the merger of the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Épargne networks, is a major cooperative banking institution with significant retail, corporate, and investment banking operations across France and internationally.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Management Board, Mignon represented the group at major public forums and industry events. In June 2021, he participated in the 8th edition of the "Big Bang des Entreprises," a business event organized by the French newspaper Le Figaro.[3] This event, held on June 3, 2021, brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing French companies.

In July 2022, it was announced that Mignon would become President of the French Banking Federation (FBF) effective September 1, 2022, replacing Nicolas Théry, who had served as Chairman of Crédit Mutuel.[4] The FBF serves as the professional organization representing all banks operating in France, and the chairmanship of this body is one of the most prominent positions in French financial governance.

French Banking Federation

On September 1, 2022, Laurent Mignon formally assumed the chairmanship of the French Banking Federation, succeeding Nicolas Théry.[1] The FBF represents banking institutions operating within France and serves as the sector's primary interlocutor with government authorities, regulators, and international banking organizations. The position of FBF Chairman rotates among the heads of France's major banking groups, and Mignon's appointment reflected both his seniority within the French banking sector and the prominence of Groupe BPCE among France's banking networks.

As FBF Chairman, Mignon was tasked with representing the interests of the French banking sector during a period of significant economic and regulatory change in Europe, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and evolving European banking regulations. The appointment was announced jointly by the FBF and Groupe BPCE in July 2022.[4][1]

Wendel

Following his tenure at Groupe BPCE, Laurent Mignon became Group Chief Executive Officer of Wendel, one of France's oldest and most established investment firms. Wendel, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, has a long history as a family-controlled holding company with investments spanning industrial, financial, and technology sectors.[5]

Under Mignon's leadership, Wendel pursued an active strategy of expansion into private equity and alternative asset management. In November 2023, the Financial Times reported that Wendel was seeking further acquisitions in the private equity industry following its acquisition of a controlling stake in UK-based buyout firm IK Partners.[6] The acquisition of IK Partners marked a significant strategic shift for Wendel, signaling the firm's ambition to build a broader alternative asset management platform alongside its traditional investment holding activities.

In October 2025, Wendel was reported to be in negotiations to acquire a controlling stake in Committed Advisors, a private equity secondaries specialist managing approximately €6 billion in assets.[7] This proposed acquisition, if completed, would further consolidate Wendel's position in the European alternative investment management industry. The move into secondaries—a growing segment of private equity focused on the buying and selling of existing fund commitments—represented an expansion of Wendel's strategy into new areas of asset management under Mignon's direction.

Wendel's portfolio also includes a significant stake in Bureau Veritas, the French testing, inspection, and certification company. Bureau Veritas, in which Wendel holds a 35.5% ownership stake, is a CAC 40 constituent and one of the world's largest companies in its sector, operating in 140 countries with approximately 79,000 employees and generating $6.34 billion in revenue in 2024.[5] The management of this stake in Bureau Veritas is a key component of Wendel's investment portfolio.

Board Membership at LVMH

In March 2023, LVMH, the French luxury goods conglomerate and one of the world's most valuable companies, announced that it would propose the appointment of Laurent Mignon as a new member of its Board of Directors.[2] At the time of the announcement, Mignon was identified as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Wendel.[2]

The appointment was covered by several media outlets, including Women's Wear Daily (WWD), which described Mignon as a "seasoned finance executive," and TheIndustry.beauty, which characterized him as a "finance maven."[2][8] The proposed appointment to the LVMH board placed Mignon alongside one of the most prominent collections of directors in French corporate life, reflecting his reputation in the French business community.

Board Membership at TotalEnergies

Laurent Mignon also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of TotalEnergies, the French multinational integrated energy company. In March 2025, TotalEnergies announced the convening of its Annual Shareholders' Meeting, scheduled for May 23, 2025, at which the Board of Directors—of which Mignon is a member—had met under the chairmanship of Patrick Pouyanné.[9] His presence on the TotalEnergies board further illustrates his cross-sector involvement in French corporate governance, extending beyond banking and investment into the energy sector.

Recognition

Laurent Mignon's appointments to the chairmanship of the French Banking Federation and to the boards of LVMH and TotalEnergies represent significant markers of recognition within the French business establishment. The chairmanship of the FBF, in particular, is reserved for the leaders of France's foremost banking institutions and serves as an acknowledgment of both personal standing and institutional importance.[1][4]

His appointment to the LVMH Board of Directors in 2023 was noted in the international business press, with WWD and TheIndustry.beauty highlighting his extensive finance background as a factor in the luxury conglomerate's decision.[2][8] Board positions at companies of the scale and visibility of LVMH and TotalEnergies are among the most prominent in European corporate governance, and Mignon's inclusion on both boards reflects the breadth of his reputation across industries.

The Financial Times coverage of Wendel's strategic expansion under Mignon's leadership also pointed to his role in reshaping the firm's direction, particularly through its acquisitions in the private equity sector.[6]

Legacy

Laurent Mignon's career trajectory illustrates the interconnected nature of France's corporate and financial elite. Through his leadership of Groupe BPCE, one of the country's largest cooperative banking groups, his chairmanship of the French Banking Federation, his role as Group CEO of Wendel, and his board memberships at LVMH and TotalEnergies, Mignon has been a participant in and architect of significant developments in French banking, investment, and corporate governance.

At Wendel, Mignon has overseen a strategic transformation of the firm from a traditional investment holding company toward a more diversified alternative asset management platform. The acquisitions of IK Partners and the proposed acquisition of Committed Advisors represent a clear strategic pivot that has reshaped Wendel's identity in the European investment landscape.[6][7]

His tenure at the head of the FBF placed him at the center of policy discussions affecting the entire French banking sector during a period of macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory evolution. The combination of executive leadership, industry representation, and board-level governance across banking, luxury goods, energy, and private equity marks Mignon as one of the more broadly engaged figures in contemporary French business.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Laurent Mignon appointed Chairman of the French Banking Federation from 1 September 2022".Fédération bancaire française.2022-07-07.https://www.fbf.fr/en/laurent-mignon-appointed-chairman-of-the-french-banking-federation-from-1-september-2022/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "LVMH Taps Seasoned Finance Executive for Board".WWD.2023-03-15.https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/lvmh-selects-seasoned-finance-executive-laurent-mignon-board-of-directors-1235584396/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. "Laurent Mignon at the Big Bang des Entreprises organized by the Le Figaro newspaper".Groupe BPCE.2021-06-02.https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-at-the-big-bang-des-entreprises-organized-by-the-le-figaro-newspaper/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Laurent Mignon to become President of the FBF in September 2022".Groupe BPCE.2022-07-07.https://www.groupebpce.com/en/all-the-latest-news/laurent-mignon-becomes-president-of-the-french-banking-federation-as-of-september-1-2022/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Wendel Group".Wendel.https://www.wendelgroup.com/fr.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Wendel seeks further private equity deals after IK partners investment".Financial Times.2023-11-11.https://www.ft.com/content/0fc7f24d-bd19-42dd-99a8-ecb27adef564.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Wendel to buy majority stake in €6bn secondaries manager Committed Advisors".Alternatives Watch.2025-10-24.https://www.alternativeswatch.com/2025/10/24/wendel-group-france-majority-stake-secondaries-manager-committed-advisors/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "LVMH is set to appoint finance maven to its Board of Directors".TheIndustry.beauty.2023-03-16.https://theindustry.beauty/lvmh-is-set-to-appoint-finance-maven-to-its-board-of-directors/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. "Convening of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on May 23, 2025".TotalEnergies.2025-03-24.https://totalenergies.com/news/press-releases/convening-annual-shareholders-meeting-may-23-2025.Retrieved 2026-02-24.