Compagnie Européenne de Gestion par l'Informatique Décentralisée, or Cegid, was the venture founded by Jean-Michel Aulas, a businessperson born in 1949 in L'Arbresle. Educated at the University of Lyon, Aulas established a diverse professional career spanning the domains of entrepreneurship, information technology management, and the executive leadership of high-profile sporting organizations within France.
Development of the Olympique Lyonnais
On 15 June 1987, Aulas assumed control of the football club Lyon, initiating a plan titled OL – Europe. The primary objective was to stabilize the club’s finances and elevate its standing from the second division to a competitive force in Ligue 1 within four years. By restructuring management, Aulas facilitated a period of sustained success, which included a national-record streak of seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles beginning in 2002. Under his ownership, the club also secured a Coupe de France and a Coupe de la Ligue title, alongside six Trophée des Champions victories. By 2009, the club had reached the UEFA Champions League on eleven occasions during his tenure.
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Aulas employed a model focused on acquiring talent within Ligue 1, developing players, and executing high-value transfers to international clubs. Notable player sales included Michael Essien, Karim Benzema, and Florent Malouda, with fees ranging from €15 million to €38 million. Critics noted his tendency to operate the club strictly as a business entity, a structure reflected in its listing on the European Stock Exchange as OL Groupe. In 2008, Forbes valued the team at $408 million, and by the 2007–08 season, Deloitte reported annual revenues of €155.7 million.
Broader Sports and Political Engagement
Beyond his tenure at Lyon, Aulas served as the final president of the G-14 until its dissolution in January 2008 and participated on the board of the European Club Association until 2023. His ownership portfolio previously included the American club OL Reign from 2020 to 2022. Following his departure as the owner of Lyon in 2022 and his conclusion as chairperson in 2023, Aulas entered the political sphere. He stood as a candidate in the 2026 Lyon municipal election and subsequently became the first vice president of the Metropolis of Lyon on 26 March 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, L'Arbresle
- Education: University of Lyon
- Key Venture: Cegid
- Lyon Presidency: 1987-2023
- Net Worth (2023): €450 million
- Legion of Honour Rank: Officer
- National Order of Merit Rank: Commander
Questions readers ask
What was the OL – Europe plan?
It was a four-year strategy initiated in 1987 to eliminate club debt, restructure management, and establish Lyon as a competitive Ligue 1 side.
What political position does Aulas hold?
He is the first vice president of the Metropolis of Lyon, a position he assumed on 26 March 2026.
Achievements
- Knight of the National Order of Merit — 1986
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 2006
- Officer of the National Order of Merit — 2012
- Officer of the Legion of Honour — 2016
- Commander of the National Order of Merit — 2022
- Holdings: Olympique Lyonnais
- Educated at University of Lyon
