France Telecom Names New CEO

Didier Lombard was named Chairman and CEO of France Telecom following the resignation of Thierry Breton, who has served in the position since October 2002 and is credited with financial restructuring of the company.


Didier Lombard has previously served as Senior Executive President of France Telecom in charge of mission technologies, partnerships and new services. A graduate of Ecole Polytechnique and of Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Telecommunications, Didier Lombard began his career in R&D with France Telecom in 1967, working on the development of many new products for FT in the field of satellite and mobile systems as well as components. From 1988 -- 1990, he was Technical and Scientific Director for the Ministry of Research and Technology in France and then became General Director of Industrial Strategy for the Ministry of Industry. He spent several years as Ambassador in charge of foreign investment in France and as CEO of the French Agency for International Investment. He has also served on the Boards of Orange and Thomson.


Prior to his term as Chairman and CEO of France Telecom, Thierry Breton was Chairman and CEO of Thomson, S.A. From 1993 to 1997, he was CEO of BULL Group.
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