Norbert Colmant (AMP 2012) and Fondation INFA for the EDHEC Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year award

Candidate for the EDHEC Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year award

Norbert is from a rural background, where it was expected that he would take over the family firm. He therefore completed his baccalauréat and went on to do a diploma in accounting so he could understand how to run a business and help his parents. He completed his diploma while alternating between internships and training at an institute where he learned about accounting, administrative management and sales. He later joined OPCA Intergros where he held several different positions over a period of 17 years. His two most important roles were as key accounts director and sales director. His missions focused on implementing new strategic processes, developing the association’s services offer and the professionalisation of its training approach. 

Since 2014, he has been working for OPCA Fafih as deputy sales director, with responsibility for setting out its commercial strategy and supporting its 12 business units. There he designed and developed the new services offer, made necessary by recent reforms in professional training. In 2017 he joined Fondation INFA as deputy managing director and in April 2018 was elected managing director by the Board of Trustees.

His fondest memory of his education was the year he spent at EDHEC Business School in 2012, when he completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP). He also participated in international seminars that proved extremely enriching. This training convinced him to focus on promoting internal team members, who are at the heart of the business. Indeed, this was the subject of his dissertation.

Fondation INFA is France’s first foundation recognised as serving the public interest that is fully dedicated to professional training. It has a presence throughout the national territory and, since its creation in 1945, has strived to help its beneficiaries – in particular those who are vulnerable and have been distanced from the job sector – to develop their employability. At the core of INFA’s work is the trainee, with a focus on active learning. The institute has already offered support to more than 1 million individuals. 

To find out more: https://www.infa-formation.com/