Jean-Bernard Lafonta

Date of appointment: General Meeting of 10 June 2024
End of term of office: General Meeting convene to approve the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2026

After graduating from the Ecole Polytechnique and from the Corps des Mines, Mr. Jean-Bernard Lafonta began his career in various ministerial offices in France.

In 1993, he joined the investment bank Lazard. After 3 years as an M&A advisor to large French companies, he became Head of Strategy at the BNP group, then Head of Capital Markets and finally President of “Banque Directe” in 2000.

Mr. Jean-Bernard Lafonta joined Wendel in 2001 as CEO, then Chairman of the Executive Board of the group in 2005. He successfully led a transformative investment policy turning Wendel into a leading investment group.

In 2010, Mr. Jean-Bernard Lafonta founded HLD group. With the support of European investors, HLD has made 30 investments, 22 of which are currently in the portfolio, with an investment value of around €4 billion of permanent capital. In 15 years, HLD has become a major operator in the investment field.

Currently, Mr. Jean-Bernard Lafonta is:

• Member/Chairman/Manager of the different HLD Group’s governance bodies (HLD Associés Europe/HLD Associés/HLD/IDLH),
• Member and Chairman of the Administration Committee of Laboratoires Fill-Med,
• Member and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Jimmy Fairly,
• Member and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Arésia,
• Member of the Board of Directors of Safety Systems Group,
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Exosens,
• Member of the Supervisory Committee of Tessi,
• Member of the Supervisory Committee of Kiloutou,
• Member of the Supervisory Committee of Sodel.