Anne de Bayser, Deputy Secretary at the Elysée, winner of the 2019 EDHEC Person of the Year Award

Paris, 20 June 2019 – The 2019 EDHEC Person of the Year award¹ goes to Anne de Bayser (EDHEC 1991), Deputy Secretary of the French Presidency.

Against the backdrop of preparations for its 2025 strategic plan, EDHEC has reaffirmed its desire to ensure that its actions have a meaningful impact on society. The school places the utmost importance on the human dimension, the development of soft skills and individual support through the highest level of training. This award is indicative of the power of the EDHEC Alumni network and the remarkable, inspirational and highly varied careers of its members.

The award ceremony took place at the EDHEC Rendez-Vous, the graduate association’s flagship event, held in Paris on Thursday 20 June.

Anne de Bayser follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Sacha Poignonnec (EDHEC 2002), co-founder and joint CEO of Jumia, the African online sales platform which was also the continent’s first unicorn.

"We are very proud to give the EDHEC Person of the Year award to Anne de Bayser, who is currently serving as Deputy Secretary under the President of the Republic,” announced Emmanuel Métais, Dean of EDHEC Business School. “Her concern for the common good and the strength of her commitment are a source of inspiration for our young graduates who increasingly aspire to make a societal, environmental or social impact in their careers.”

Anne de Bayser: a career built on social commitment

Anne de Bayser graduated from EDHEC in 1991, when she began her career as head of mission for the Managing Director of services in the city of Cergy (Val d’Oise). Between 1997 and 2004, she served as project director in the Public Department of consultancy firm Bernard Brunhes.

In 2005, she joined the cabinet at Paris City Hall (under Bertrand Delanoë) as an adviser on economic affairs, before being appointed deputy director of the cabinet five years later. In 2013, she left City Hall to head up a semi-public real estate firm before being appointed Director of Housing for the city of Paris. From 2015 to 2017, she served as Deputy Secretary for the city of Paris under Anne Hidalgo’s mandate as Mayor.

Since May 2017, she has worked alongside the Presidential Secretary on public, economic and social policy, the environment and transport, education and higher education, culture, sport, agriculture, territorial development and housing.

¹ First established in 1983, this award is given each year in recognition of one of the school’s graduates whose professional career, personal life or specific actions have contributed to the excellence, development and reputation of EDHEC Business School at a local, national or international level.