General Electric appointed Clara Gaymard as the President of its French division in 2006, marking the start of a decade-long leadership role overseeing industrial strategy and government relations. An alumna of Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration, she balanced a career in public administration with significant executive responsibilities in the private sector throughout her professional life.
Early Career in Public Service
Gaymard began her career in 1982 as an administrative officer for the Mayor of Paris. Following her studies at the ENA, she entered the French Court of Audit, serving as an auditor from 1986 to 1990 and later as a conseiller référendaire. During the 1990s, she held various roles within the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, including positions in Cairo and within the Directorate of External Economic Relations. In 1995, she acted as a private secretary to minister Colette Codaccioni before focusing on support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
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In 2003, Gaymard moved to the French Agency for International Investment, where she served as president until 2006. This period preceded her transition into the corporate sector with General Electric. During her tenure at the company, she served as President of GE France from 2006 to 2016 and Vice President of GE International from 2009 to 2016. Her work involved managing government contracts and navigating the complexities of industrial acquisitions, notably the integration of Alstom.
Entrepreneurship and Board Governance
After leaving General Electric in 2016, Gaymard co-founded Raise, an investment fund and philanthropic group. Her corporate footprint extends to several high-profile board memberships, including positions at LVMH, Bouygues, Danone, and Veolia. She has also served as President of the American Chamber of Commerce in France. Beyond business, she has authored multiple books, including works detailing her experiences and reflections, and maintains an active role in professional and social organizations.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Paris
- Education: Sciences Po, École nationale d'administration
- Primary Employers: Court of Audit, General Electric, Raise
- Awards: Officer of the National Order of Merit (2011), Knight of the Legion of Honour, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2005)
- Professional Organizations: Trilateral Commission, AmCham France
Questions readers ask
What is Raise?
Raise is an investment fund and philanthropic group co-founded by Clara Gaymard and Gonzague de Blignières in 2016 to promote entrepreneurial growth.
Did Clara Gaymard work for the French government?
Yes, she held several public offices, including positions at the Court of Audit and various roles within the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- Officer of the National Order of Merit — 2011
- Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Affiliated with General Electric, Raise and Court of Audit
- Educated at École nationale d'administration and Sciences Po
