Stéphane Richard, born on August 24, 1961 (64 years old) in Bordeaux, France, is the former president of Orange, the multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Paris. He led the firm from 2011 to 2021, after previously serving as its chief executive officer.
Richard worked in politics for several years alongside his roles in the economic and financial sectors of multiple companies. He served as chief of staff at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment and held positions in different areas related to the water industry in France.
His time at Orange proved decisive. The company, which merged with France Télécom in the 1990s, is now a multinational operator with more than 250 million customers. It offers a wide array of products and services and oversees several sub-brands. Richard joined Orange in 2009, and by 2013 he was among the highest-paid CEOs in the world.
Dimission and farewell: Richard’s final days at Orange
With his head held high, Stéphane Richard left Orange in 2021 after many years in the company. He began as head of international operations, where he led the brand’s global expansion, later became chief executive officer and eventually served as president for nearly a decade.
“To everyone in my beloved Orange team, who have shown me their support and affection today, I want to express my deepest gratitude and the pride I felt over these eleven years as your captain, through good days and bad,” Richard said during his farewell from the telecommunications group.
Expansion across Africa and the Middle East
France Télécom was the company’s former name; today, it is known as Orange S.A. Richard joined its international division in 2009 and, just two years later, was appointed CEO. Over time, various media outlets highlighted his contributions in Africa and the Middle East.
What did Richard achieve? He led the company’s international expansion through deliberate strategic actions. Under his leadership, Orange saw measurable growth in both regions, supported by strong financial results. He secured footholds in multiple countries, strengthening the company’s global presence.
Africa, often described as the poorest continent, benefited from Orange’s initiatives. Richard propelled a technological development plan that reached beyond mobile phones. He promoted the implementation of networks, fiber-optic internet and digital infrastructure to connect urban and rural areas. The company expanded fixed broadband, mobile services and TV offerings across several markets, not only in Africa.
As president, Richard encouraged diversified services that helped position the brand as a valuable partner in other regions. Within Europe, France and Spain were strengthened by his decisions, contributing significantly to revenue growth.
He reinforced high-speed fixed connectivity in both countries, which were central to his European strategy. His management aimed to build a solid regional base and project a coherent image across the continent.
The dual path of Stéphane Richard: politics and economics
The former Orange CEO studied at the École supérieure de commerce de Paris and later at the École nationale d’administration. After completing his studies, he became a finance inspector and later a municipal councillor, marking his early entry into politics.
Years later, he served as technical adviser in the office of the Minister of Industry and Trade. Until 2009, he worked in political roles linked to the Ministry of Economy. Throughout these responsibilities he maintained his involvement in finance and business. He was CFO and later director of a water-industry company, and also chairman of a real-estate and services firm.
Veolia Environnement S.A. represented a significant stage in his career. Richard spent four years there and served as managing director of several major divisions. This experience paved the way for his arrival at France Télécom and the later chapter at Orange.
His trajectory at Orange marked a defining period both for him and for the company, which saw substantial gains in Africa and the Middle East. From 2009 to 2021, he oversaw the company’s growth and played a key role in its international expansion beyond Europe.
