The Econocom Group’s Chief Legal Officer Géraldine de Grandi has extensive experience that has led her to collaborate with both listed groups and family businesses. A month and a half after joining our group, she tells us about her first steps…
Econocom Stories: Could you go over your career history? How do you go from a transport company to a DSC, and how do you adapt to its challenges and what must be a different environment?
Géraldine de Grandi: « My career history covers 22 years. It started at Bouygues Offshore after I graduated with a PhD in Private Law. I held various positions within Bouygues Offshore, then at Alstom in the nuclear sector, before overseeing the group’s sensitive legal affairs up to its acquisition by G-E. My transition to the family group Séché Environnement was educational as I formed a legal department. Later, I joined RATP Dev — the transport company’s development arm — for four and a half years before moving to Econocom. For a legal eagle, it’s essential to have a comprehensive vision, combining detailed knowledge of the business activities and regulatory requirements with the ability to adapt fast. That vision makes it possible to adapt fast to any sector and generate essential recommendations for the company’s security and growth. »
E.S: Tell us about your first few weeks with the group. To borrow a political metaphor, how do you see your ‘first 100 days’?
GdG: « I arrived a month ago and my first few weeks were spent talking to the legal, operational and management teams to pinpoint the main challenges. Risk mapping is my priority over these first 100 days. Identifying and prioritizing risks, as well as adjusting fast to the business, are essential. But at the same time, I need to get to grips with and ahead in everyday matters quite quickly, which is a challenge that especially motivates me. Culturally, I was struck by the warm welcome and positive energy from the Econocom team, combining the processes and structure of a modern and agile big business with a family feel. »
E.S: What’s your view of the tech and innovation sector’s growing influence (e.g. ChatGPT) and the related challenges in terms of litigation, compliance, etc.?
GdG: « Tech and innovation, led by tools like ChatGPT, Bard or Midjourney, will eventually offer significant time savings, particularly for time-consuming legal tasks. However, proficient use of these tools is crucial, demanding investments in education and training within the business. Artificial intelligence tools have benefits but can also present risks, requiring increased vigilance. In the future, AI will free up time to concentrate on complex tasks. We have to adapt fast to this technological age in order to prosper. »
