About WEC

WEC Chair

Pierre Gadonneix, Chairman, World Energy Council
Honorary Chairman, ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE (EDF)

Pierre Gadonneix, born on 10 January 1943 in New York, has PhD in business economics from the Harvard Business School, is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique (1962) and of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure du Pétrole et des Moteurs, and has a degree in economics. An experienced businessman, Pierre Gadonneix has spent the major part of his career in industry.

Pierre GADONNEIX has a long-standing commitment to the World Energy Council. He was appointed WEC Chair in 2007, then re-elected in September 2009 for a three-year term (2010-2013). He was Chair of the Conseil Français de l’Energie from 1993 to 1999, where he continues to serve as a board member. From 1995 to 2004, he was a member of the WEC Programme Committee, then Vice Chair in charge of Europe for three years.

From 2004 to 2009, Pierre GADONNEIX was Chairman and CEO of EDF, one of the leading players of the international energy industry. Over this period he ensured the implementation of the group’s industrial plan for profitable growth, mainly in Europe. Under his impetus, EDF pursued its international expansion in energy markets and bolstered its position as a leader in the nuclear revival, especially in China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy. He was also at the helm when EDF obtained a listing on the Paris stock exchange in November 2005 and became a member of the CAC 40.

Prior to joining EDF, Pierre GADONNEIX was Chairman and CEO of Gaz de France from 1996 after serving as CEO from 1987. At this time when European markets were opening to competition, he introduced the industrial strategy and oversaw the implementation of the reorganisation that positioned the group as a gas-oriented leader in the European energy market.

From 1978 to 1987, after two years as Technical Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Research, Pierre GADONNEIX was appointed Director of Metallurgical, Engineering and Electrical Industries at the Ministry of Industry. In this capacity, he made a significant contribution to the restructuring of the French steel industry.

In 1972, Pierre GADONNEIX joined the Institut de Développement Industriel (IDI), the leading French trust specialising in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Previous to joining the Institute, Pierre GADONNEIX had founded and run a computer service company employing 50 engineers, which was subsequently bought by a major industrial group.

Pierre GADONNEIX is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique, where he taught economics from 1983 to 1992, and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure du Pétrole et des Moteurs. In 1975 he was awarded a Doctorate from Harvard Business School.
Pierre GADONNEIX is a member of the Conseil Economique et Social and a Member of the Board of the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques. He is a Commander of the Légion d’honneur and a Commander of the Ordre national du Mérite.

Born in New York on January 10, 1943, he is married and has three children.