Laurent Christophe (EDHEC 1994), Major Donor: “It’s Time to Give Back”

Laurent CHRISTOPHE, EDHEC Class of 1994, shares why giving back matters so much to him.

LC: "My professional career has taken me to the United States and the United Kingdom, where it is entirely natural — almost obvious — to support the university or school that trained you. I embraced this culture of giving, which reflects a spirit of recognition, transmission, and lasting attachment.

EDHEC is a long-term relationship. It’s where I forged lifelong friendships, created meaningful memories, and received the foundations to build my professional life. Throughout my career, I’ve met fellow alumni — often brilliant, committed, and loyal to fundamental values. I’ve followed with pride EDHEC’s rise, its growing influence, its capacity to innovate, and its ascent among Europe’s leading business schools.

Even though I was away from the school for some time, I never truly “left” EDHEC. And it became clear to me that it was time, in turn, to contribute to this dynamic.

For me, giving to the EDHEC Foundation means: 

• Supporting the school’s academic excellence and strategic ambitions,
• Enabling access to education for all talented students, regardless of their financial means,
• Investing in the education of young people from diverse, open, responsible backgrounds, driven by professional ethics and a true spirit of engagement.
  
  

I therefore decided to support the “Generations 2050” strategic plan by funding the EDHEC for All scholarship program, to ensure that everyone has a fair chance, based on merit — with sometimes a little helping hand.

Finally, being particularly sensitive to entrepreneurship, I also dedicate part of my support to the EDHEC Entrepreneurs program. The school has a strong entrepreneurial spirit that must be encouraged by giving young graduates the concrete means to launch their ventures."

What motivated your donation and recent involvement?

"Above all, it was the encounters — with members of the Foundation, school leaders, professors, and alumni who are deeply involved in EDHEC’s development. Their commitment, energy, and determination to make the school shine were contagious.

I was impressed by EDHEC’s trajectory, particularly in the field of finance, with major initiatives such as the EDHEC-Risk Institute, which established the school as a leading player. But this level of excellence cannot be achieved without resources.

The turning point came during my class’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2024. This event brought back powerful memories and reminded me of the incredible opportunity I had to join EDHEC, and what a springboard it was — both personally and professionally. It also rekindled a conviction: it’s time to give back.

Everyone contributes in their own way. Some give their time, others give financially, no matter the amount. What truly matters is the intention: to give back, to pass on, and to support future generations.

My donation is a way to express my confidence in the power of education. It’s also, on a personal level, a form of fulfillment and loyalty to the values that were passed on to me."

What would you say to other alumni to encourage them to join the donor community?

"EDHEC is an independent school. This independence is precious: it ensures freedom of expression, the ability to innovate, and fidelity to core values — commitment, innovation, impact — without bowing to purely financial logic.
But this independence comes at a cost. It cannot be sustained without the active support of its graduates.
Every gift, big or small, helps strengthen this independence. Every gift creates opportunities for talented young people. Every gift contributes to passing on what makes EDHEC strong: a demanding, humanistic, forward-looking vision.
Joining the donor community means strengthening your bond with the school, becoming an active part of its future, and honoring what you yourself have received."

Laurent CHRISTOPHE (Master 1994), Major Donor

I make a donation to EDHEC