Who is Christel Heydemann? The new CEO of Orange

The board of directors for French telecommunications company Orange has appointed Christel Heydemann, currently the Executive Vice President of Europe Operations at Schneider Electric, as its Chief Executive Officer. Leaving Schneider, Heydemann will join her new role on 4th April.

Commenting on her appointment, Heydemann said: “I would like to thank the Board members for their confidence. As a member of the Board for nearly five years, I have gained a solid understanding of the technological challenges and opportunities that lie before us. I know that these are significant, but it is equally a huge honour to be able to contribute to the development of one of the leading players in our industry and Orange will have my total commitment as we set about this task.”

“I also know I can count, as my predecessor has been able to, on the dedication of all the company’s teams to see Orange through to success. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my colleagues at Schneider Electric. These past seven years building a more durable world through technological innovation have been truly exciting and have further convinced me of the central role that digital will play in the transformation of our society,” she said. 

Heydemann’s career in the telecommunications industry and education

Heydemann is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Recognised for her 15 years of experience in the telecommunications sector and in managing business transformations, she began her professional career in 1997 at Boston Consulting Group. 

In 1999, she joined Alcatel where she was entrusted with a range of roles and responsibilities, including for the merger of Alcatel and Lucent. In 2011, she was appointed to Alcatel-Lucent’s Executive Committee as Director of Human Resources and Transformation.

In 2014, she joined Schneider Electric as the Director of Strategic Alliances and in April 2017 she was appointed as Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric France and subsequently Executive Vice President Europe Operations in May 2021.

Orange says that, due to the Board’s decision to separate the roles of Chairman and CEO, on the new Chief Executive’s arrival Stéphane Richard will continue in the role of Non-executive Chairman until a new Chairman is in post.