The beginning of the calendar year saw the arrival of Jean-Luc Placet as President of ESSEC Alumni. He succeeds Jean-Luc Decornoy (E75), who held the position for three years. Mr. Placet now heads an association that brings together over 31 000 ESSEC alumni across the world.

In the beginning

55 years of age and himself an ESSEC alumnus (E79), Mr. Placet brings to the position a wealth of business experience and expertise. Having begun his career as Head of Marketing for Saint-Gobain, he went on to become Head of Advertising for the renowned monthly economics magazine L’Expansion (1979-81).

Jean-Luc Placet, President of ESSEC Alumni

A rapid rise in the consulting industry

Since the early-1980s, his career has been largely focused on consulting, including a number of prestigious positions, including CEO of IDRH (1990-92), rising to Chairman and CEO. He has also assumed the Chairmanship of IDCA (since 1992) and the management consultants Syntec (since 2004), as well as the Vice-Presidency of the European Federation of Organization Consultancy Associations.

The most recent additions to an already illustrious CV include membership of the Economic and Social Council representing private, non-agricultural businesses (since December 2005) and a position within the Ministerial Remuneration Committee of the Ministry of Defense (since June 2007).

Prior to his nomination as President of the ESSEC Alumni Association, he was named a member of the Executive Council of Medef.

A “product” of the Alumni Careers Service

A self-confessed lover of Oceanic art, ethnic jewelry and Greek architecture, Jean-Luc Placet brings to the post a passion for the consulting profession and also fond personal memories of the work performed by the ESSEC Alumni Association. It was via the association’s Careers Service that he secured one of his earliest positions of responsibility, at l’Expansion.