Chairman of BlackRock France, Belgium, and Luxembourg
15 October 2025, at Le Fouquet’s, Paris
With his unique perspective shaped by decades at the highest levels of both public service and global business, Jean-François Cirelli shared his insights on the major economic, political, and strategic forces shaping our world today. Guests joined us for this breakfast conversation to hear his take on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
From 1985 to 1995, Jean-François Cirelli served in the Treasury Department of France’s Ministry of the Economy and Finance before becoming Economic Advisor to the President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, from 1995 to 2002. In 2002, he was appointed Deputy Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, responsible for economic, industrial, and social affairs.
In 2004, Jean-François Cirelli joined Gaz de France as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, leading its IPO and the 2008 merger with SUEZ. Following the merger, he held the position of Vice Chairman and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GDF SUEZ from July 2008 to November 2014.
In 2015, Jean-François Cirelli joined the private equity firm Advent International as a Senior Advisor. In January 2016, he became Chairman of BlackRock France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. He is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Idemia, Sonepar, and Saur. In June 2024, he was appointed Vice Chairman of Saint-Gobain.
Jean-François Cirelli is a graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris and the École Nationale d’Administration. He also holds a law degree. He is an Officer of the Legion of Honour and an Officer of the National Order of Merit.