Manager of the month: Vincent CHENEY (GE 1980), Chairman France, UK and Ireland at Warner Chilcott

Why did you choose EDHEC?
At that time, it was already one of the best Business Schools offering a broad-based education.

What do you remember about life at EDHEC?
An intense period of study and association activities (treasurer of the Ch’ti 1980/ 600,000 francs budget!) and parties…

What’s your best memory of EDHEC?
It’s where I met my wife, Isabelle...

What did you get out of your years at EDHEC?
Not only a solid practical grounding in marketing, finance, accounting and law in particular, but also a taste for entrepreneurship and operational responsibilities through the Associations, and pragmatism, in other words, always keeping the end goal in mind so as to reach it, plus a taste for teamwork that respects differences and speeds up learning.

Can you tell us about your career since you left EDHEC?
I began my career at Procter & Gamble France, in the everyday consumer goods division. I was gradually given increasing responsibility in the Sales and Marketing departments, and finally reached the position of Manager of the Trade Marketing division for all categories of products and shops in France in 1992. In 1996, I joined Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France in charge of Sales for France and Belgium, was then put in charge of the Commercial operations, and was appointed General Manager in 2003. After that, I successively managed the subsidiaries dealing with the group’s ethics and OTC activities in Belgium, Holland and Germany while retaining responsibility for France.
Following the takeover of P&G’s pharmaceutical activities by Warner Chilcott in 2009, I created the French and German subsidiaries, and was then appointed General Manager of Warner Chilcott for France, the UK and Ireland, where I’ve been since May 2010.

What was your first job?
Regional sales manager for Procter and Gamble France (sales)

What was your first internship?
Manager of a branch of NICOLAS (the first ever from EDHEC!)

What’s your job now? How do you see the future?
I manage the International pharmaceutical group subsidiaries, which is an exciting area, dedicated to health and patients’ quality of life, and one that requires ever-greater agility to adapt to the constantly changing regulations, constantly reviewing our strategy, adapting our operational plans, and innovating sales-wise.

What are the key figures in the firm you work in?
Total turnover is 2,6 billion dollars,
2500 employees worldwide, listed on the NASDAQ

What ties have you kept with EDHEC and Edhec alumni (the network, the alumni association)?
I’ve been involved in the Marketing major as an external contributor for the last 20 years, and I’m also a member of the Alumni Committee and the Edhec Alumni executive committee. At the moment, I’m in charge of the International Committee. I’ve also been a member of the School Board since January 2012.

Have you any recommendations for today’s students?
Think big: all activity sectors are open to talented young grads; think far: the world is your oyster, professionally speaking; think high (be demanding in terms of personal excellence, look for jobs with responsibility)

What advice wold you give to EDHEC people looking to work in your sector?
Don’t be afraid to join drug firms, which are no longer reserved for people with a scientific background (doctors, chemists...). It’s a growing and sustainable sector given the current population trends and growing demand for improved health and quality of life, and it’s also a high tech sector, with a lot of innovation, where the product, drugs, is at the heart of the client and patient relationship.