Born in 1963, Richard Bielle graduated from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP).
Career
Richard Bielle’s professional career started on the financial markets and led him to join Renault Trucks in 1988 where he built up his experience until 1996 in various positions in Financial Services Management. Senior Manager from 1997 to 1999 at ING Barings, he was in charge of financing various projects.
In 1999, he joined CFAO SA as Director of Development heading the automotive operations before becoming General Secretary. As from 1st January 2002, Richard Bielle held the position of Head of Finance, Tax and Legal Department. Appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new CFAO Automotive branch in 2005 – position held until 5th October 2009, in order to prepare the introduction of CFAO on NYSE Euronext. He was then promoted to Chairman of the Management Board and Member of the Executive Committee from September 2010 to 5th September 2012. At the end of 2012, Richard Bielle left after the Japanese Group,Toyota Tsusho Corporation, acquired CFAO.
On 16th December 2013, Richard Bielle was reappointed Chairman of the Management Board taking over the position of former Alain Viry who ensured the smooth transition from Kiering to Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
Richard Bielle has also assumed other positions namely Chairman of the Board of Directors of Menard Automobiles, CEO and Chairman of Intermotors, CMM and SFCE, Permanent Representative of Mercure Consult on the Board of Directors of Eurapharma, Founder and General Manager of Afriteam, Member of Kilele Africa 2013 Advisory Committee to name a few.
Anecdotes
In French, a ‘Bielle’ is a connective rod used in a reciprocating and internal combustion piston engine, such as automotive engines, a predestined name for the CEO of CFAO Automotive.
