Orange CEO given further four-year mandate

Stephane Richard secured a second four-year term as CEO of Orange, after the board of directors renewed his mandate to lead the France-based operator group.

Richard has been CEO of the group since March 1, 2010 with his remit extended to include the chairman role a year later. He joined the group in September 2009 and was appointed deputy CEO overseeing French operations in October that year.

Under Richard’s leadership, the company changed its name from France Telecom to Orange in July 2013 and is following a policy of “prudent and selective acquisitions, concentrating on possible consolidation and disposals in the markets in which it operates”. 

Orange operates in 30 countries with a total customer base of 178 million mobile customers as of December 31, 2013.

Richard has also been involved in politics as chief of staff to the French minister for the economy, industry and employment between 2007 and 2009.

He is subject to an ongoing investigation regarding his role in an arbitration case during this period, in which businessman Bernard Tapie was awarded a large pay-out from the state.