Benoît Potier
Photo: Jérémy Barande, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons16

Benoît Potier

French businessman (born 1957)

Benoît Potier (French pronunciation: [bənwa potje]; born 3 September 1957) is a French businessman who was CEO of the French multinational industrial gas company Air Liquide from 2006 to 2022, and is now chairman.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Benoît Potier (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Sep 3, 1957.1

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedINSEAD3
  • Date not recordedÉcole Centrale Paris3

Potier graduated with an engineer's degree from École Centrale Paris in 1979. Potier also attended the executive training program of the Wharton International Forum and the INSEAD Advanced Management program.

From Wikipedia’s article on Benoît Potier (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: businessperson, entrepreneur.8

  • Since 2006Chairperson, Air Liquide4
  • 2006 to 2022Chief executive officer, Air Liquide4
  • 2006 to 2022Président-directeur général, Air Liquide6 7
  • Date not recordedBoard member, Danone5

Potier joined Air Liquide in 1981 as a Research and Development engineer. After working as a Project Manager in the Engineering and Construction Division, he was made Vice-President of Energy Development in the Large Industries business line. In 1993, he became Director of Strategy & Organization and, in 1994, was put in charge of the Chemicals, Metal & Steel, Oil and Energy Markets. He was made an Executive Vice-President of Air Liquide in 1995 with additional responsibilities over the Engineering & Construction Division and the Large Industries operations in Europe. Benoît Potier was appointed Senior Executive Vice-President in 1997. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2000 and became Chairman of the Management Board in November 2001. Potier was chairman and chief executive officer of Air Liquide from 2006 to 2022. He has been holding the office of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Air Liquide since June 1, 2022.

Corporate boards

Temasek Holdings, Member of the European Advisory Panel (since 2022)

Siemens, Member of the Supervisory Board (since 2018)

Unilever, Member of the Board (since 1 January 2025)

From Wikipedia’s article on Benoît Potier (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornSep 3, 1957, Mulhouse9
  • CitizenshipFrance10

Awards

  • 2020Commander of the National Order of Merit11
  • 2013Officer of the Legion of Honour11
  • 2002Knight of the Legion of Honour11 12
  • Date not recordedOfficer of the National Order of Merit11