FRANCE The new chairman of Electricité de France, Francois Roussely, has begun promised changes with a shake-up of the management. Roussely took over from Edmond Alphandery who resigned in July at which time, Pierre Daures also stepped down as CEO.
The intention of Roussely’s new corporate plan is to make EDF Europe’s leading electrical utility as competition in the EU power sector opens up beginning next year.
In the document outlining his strategy (Towards the client: the count-down to Europe), Roussely is critical of EDF’s international developments to date, noting that “the amount of investments is clearly insufficient, the large number of minority participating interests is weakening our impact, the lack of a global approach to the company’s overall activity and strategy still affects strategic conception and operational reaction capacity.” Roussely wants to acquire or build “platforms” on which to develop its business in Europe – which he considers the new domestic market – and beyond. This will require doubling of investments now committed. China will continue to dominate future prospects.
Under the new regime, EDF will be run by an executive committee of five senior managers; four have been appointed:
• Pierre Carlier, managing director for industry (Carlier had served as head of the generation and transmission division.
• Jacques Chauvin, director offinance.
• Mdm Claude Hue, Director of personnel and social relations.
• Jean-Louis Joliot, Secretary-General.
The fifth post of Managing Director for Clients, is yet to be filled.
The role of chief executive, as expected, is eliminated. In addition Gerard Wolf has been named as the chief of staff to the chairman and Hervé Machenaud takes over as director of the generation and transmission division, reporting to Carlier.
