Didier Lombard

Education and early career

He is a graduate of the École Polytechnique (Promotion X1962) and the Télécom Paris. He is also a doctor of economics and a general engineer of telecommunications.^[2] He began his career in 1967 at the National Center for Telecommunication Studies, where he works on the development of new products related to satellite and mobile systems. From 1988 to 1990, he became Scientific and Technical Director at the Department of Research and Technology, and then General Director of Industrial Strategies at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry. In 1993 he became director of Bull, in 1997 director of Thomson. At the same time, he holds the post of ambassador for international investment, president of the French Agency for International Investments until 2003, secretary general of the Strategic Council of information technology and vice-chair of the General Council of Information Technology from 2001 to 2003.^[3]

France Telecom Direction

On February 27, 2005, Didier Lombard succeeded Thierry Breton at the head of France Telecom when the latter became Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry. As France Telecom's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Didier Lombard continues the group reorganization policy initiated by Thierry Breton.^[4] The reorganization project presented and implemented by Didier Lombard foresees the suppression of 22000 posts and the mobility of 10000 workers over three years (2006-2008).This reorganization is done unilaterally, without consultation with the unions : it does not give rise to the conclusion and the implementation of an agreement for the provisional management of jobs and skills, nor to the establishment of a saving jobs plan.^[5]

Didier Lombard is criticized for his management during the suicide wave of France Télécom employees (more than 60 between 2006 and 2009).^[6] Didier Lombard has renounced to the presidency of the group in February 2011, a few months before the planned term, but he is retained within the France Télécom group as a special advisor. He also have to give up his new duties in the face of the beginning of controversy due to the salary he assumed (500000 euros per year).^[7] He has to leave the company on March 2, 2011.

End of career

Didier Lombard then took over the chairmanship of the Supervisory Board of ST Microelectronics, a French-Italian semiconductor group of which he has been a director since 2004. He also sits on the boards of Thales, [Technicolor (formerly Thomson) and Radiall.^[8]