Philippe Varin

Philippe Varin was elected Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce in June 2024, having served on the executive board since 2018 and as First Vice-Chair from 2022-2024. 

Mr Varin began his career in 1978 with Pechiney, where he held various R&D, Plant, and Business Unit Management roles in France and the United States. By the time he left Pechiney, he was Group Executive Vice President for the Aluminium sector. In 2003, Mr Varin became CEO of the Anglo-Dutch steel company Corus, where he led a major turnaround, culminating in the company’s acquisition by Tata Group in 2007. Mr Varin continued with Tata for two years, working in Mumbai and London, before joining PSA Peugeot Citroën as Chairman of the Managing Board (2009-2014). He subsequently served as Chairman of Areva and Orano, leading nuclear energy companies, until 2020. 

In 2020, Mr Varin was elected Chairman of the Board of Suez, where he defended against Veolia’s acquisition bid, stepping down in 2022. Mr Varin has also held a number of key industry roles including as Chairman of “France Industrie” and Vice-Chairman of the National Council for Industry (Conseil National de l’Industrie), both from 2017-2021, and on the board of Saint-Gobain from 2013-2021. 

Mr Varin has chaired the World Materials Forum since 2014, and in 2022, the French government enlisted him to propose measures for securing Critical Raw Materials supply. He is also an operating partner of the GVP Climate investment fund and chairs the French C’Possible Association, supporting the professional integration of vocational high school students.