As an international hub of culture and commerce, Boston has always had great relationships with its foreign partners and investors. In particular, the city’s relationship with France has especially flourish under the “Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France” (CCE) New England chapter, which serves to strengthen bonds between French and American business and support regional growth and awareness.
At Dassault Systèmes North America, we also do our part in promoting this kind of relationship. Back in April, we welcomed French Ambassador Gérard Araud to our Boston Campus. Today, we’re pleased to announce that Dassault Systèmes’ Director of Global Affair, Isabelle Estebe, was recently appointed by the CCE to head its New England chapter as President.
Our congratulations to Isabelle on this well-deserved appointment. For more information on the CCE, the full press release is pasted below.
The “Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France” (CCE) Boston New England chapter announces the election of its new President Isabelle Estebe and Board of Directors for the next three years composed of local executives.
Members of the Boston New England CCE chapter are:
– President Isabelle Estebe, Director, Dassault Systèmes (www.3ds.com )
– Secretary Céline Del Genes, Vice President, Global GTM Marketing & Business Planning at Adidas Group, Reebok International http://www.Reebok.com
– Treasurer Valérie Philippon, Medical Affairs Professional
– Vice president in charge of communication, Catherine Delmas-Chaulet, Partner and President, Global DMC Partners (www.GlobalDMCPartners.com)
– Vice president in charge of development Philippe Suhas, Operating Partner and CEO of Private Equity Backed Companies
– Vice-president in charge of external affairs, Jean-Marc Pandraud, President and CEO, Cleanmembranes (www.CleanMembranesInc.com)
Selected for their competence and their international experience, CCE are appointed for three years through a prime ministerial decree, on the recommendations of the Minister for Foreign Trade. For more than 115 years, on a voluntary basis, they have placed their experience at the service of France’s economic presence around the world.
« Present in 146 countries, CCEs form an active network of over 4,000 members at the service of French companies around the world. As President, I have the opportunity to visit many of the CCE chapters. Boston being one of the most vibrant and entrepreneur-friendly cities in the world, I am confident the new team in place will leverage this spirit to serve our core missions, support the ecosystem and promote attractivity of France for businesses.” Said Alain Bentéjac, President CNCCEF.
“The New England chapter of the CCE is committed to support the growing number of companies as well as individuals who shape the economic relationships between France and the United States”, said Estebe, newly elected chapter president and director, Global Affairs, Dassault Systèmes. “We, as volunteers, are committed to help them succeed in a complex but challenging environment. Mentoring young professional is also key for this group who works very closely with the support of the diplomatic network”.
Core activities of the CCE include:
Consulting: CCE oversee ‘sensitive’ foreign trade dossiers. At the heart of international markets and experts in their own field, they provide information, analyses and recommendations on the challenges of world trade and on specific markets to public authorities, whose decision-making they inform. In this capacity, they are best advocates for the Greater Boston area and New England entrepreneurship spirit.
Mentoring: CCE share their expertise with companies, in particular with SMBs, in their international development via sponsor and support on a voluntary basis. They contribute their hands-on knowledge and allow SMBs to better understand all aspects of an export strategy and how to exploit the channels which will facilitate their international development. By allowing and facilitating business connections with local New England companies, the CCE contribute to the expansion and the “rayonnement” (appeal) of Massachussetts abroad.
Training: CCEs assist numerous educational establishments in raising young people’s awareness of international careers. The CCE support many academic institutions in the Greater Boston area while speaking at multiple occasions about trade and international business using real examples of successful companies.
Promoting: France as an international investment development.
Key figures:
- Over 4,000 French business men and women
- In 146 countries
- 29 committees in the regions of France
- 7 geographical commissions
- Over 110 sections around the world
- 4 national commissions and around twenty expertise groups
President profile:
Isabelle Estebe has held various roles in Research and Development, Marketing and Communications. In 1996, she was appointed Technical Assistant to Dassault Systèmes’ president and CEO. She oversaw and managed the communication around the group major acquisitions before relocating to Charlotte, NC in 2000. Isabelle holds an engineering degree from ENSMA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Mécanique et Aérotechnique), France and a Masters Degree in Robotic Engineering from ENSTA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Techniques Avancées) in Paris. Isabelle serves at the board of the French-American chamber of commerce of Boston, New England (FACC NE) as well as the North Carolina chapter in Charlotte (FACC NC) where she presided for several years.
About CCEs around the world
CCEs are expatriates, executives and company directors that have daily experience of dealing with the opportunities and risks of the world’s markets. CCEs organize regional colloquiums, conferences and symposiums, in partnership with the main institutional stakeholders (regional economic services, Business France, French chambers of commerce abroad, economic advisory units within embassies, etc.) These exchanges enable CCEs and economic decision-makers (International and French) to compare and share their experiences and their analyses. Their extensive, hands-on, concrete and very practical knowledge helps develop and enhance the profile of France and promote its appeal.
