The Orange committee tasked with finding the group’s next CEO has shortlisted three potential candidates, according to information gathered by Reuters from two unnamed sources. The development, first reported by French newspaper Liberation, follows the resignation of Stephane Richard in November 2021, which should bring an end to his mandate by 31 January. One of the three candidates named by the press is Orange executive Ramon Fernandez, group deputy CEO in charge of Finance, Performance and Development, Europe. The two others are Frank Boulben, Verizon's chief revenue officer, and Christel Heydemann, executive VP for Europe at Schneider Electric and one of the seven independent directors on the Orange board.
One of the sources told Reuters that the telecom group may find it difficult to appoint a new CEO by the end of the month because of the tight schedule. According to BFM TV, Richard could remain in his position until the end of May, when his mandate at the helm of Orange would have come to an end regardless of the court conviction in the Tapie case. This is because the search for a replacement has yet to find a unanimous choice, with the French government reportedly still looking for the right candidate.
The role of the French state as an Orange shareholder will ultimately determine who is appointed as CEO. As noted by Reuters, the candidates put forward by the selection committee could be rejected by the government, which will have the final word on the matter.
