Press releases

Olivier Appert reappointed Chairman and CEO of IFP

30 April 2010

On the proposal of the French Ministre d'État, Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Sea (MEEDDM), Olivier Appert has been reappointed Chairman of IFP’s Board by government Order, passed by the Council of Ministers on April 27, 2010 and published today in the Official Journal.

In a radically changing energy context, Olivier Appert will be able to continue the work he began, since he arrived, on bringing IFP’s strategic priorities into line with the major challenges facing society in the 21st century: climate change and energy diversification. In an effort to support the transition to a more energy-efficient and low-carbon world, IFP has stepped up its operations in the field of new energy technologies (2nd-generation biofuels, hybrid and electric vehicles, eco-efficient processes and CO₂ capture and storage) whilst further developing technologies likely to push back the current limitations in oil and gas reserves. Thanks to the IFP staff’s commitment and drive, new energy technologies now account for 50% of its research programs, compared to 30% in 2005. This figure is set to increase in the years to come.

Across all its research programs, IFP will strengthen its policy geared towards developing its innovations on an industrial scale, with a view to supporting the development of current and future industrial processes by creating value and jobs.
 

Olivier Appert, a graduate from the École Polytechnique and engineer from the Ecole des Mines, began his career working for the Mines de Lyon, before taking up various positions within the French Ministry of Industry and the Prime Minister’s private staff. He was then appointed deputy private secretary to the Minister for Industry from 1984 to 1986. In 1987, he was in charge of the Télécommunications Radioélectriques et Téléphoniques (TRT) company strategy. In 1989, he was appointed director of hydrocarbons at the French Ministry of Industry, before joining, in 1994, the ranks of IFP’s General Management and taking responsibility for research and development operations. In 1998, he was appointed Vice-President of Isis, a technological holding company in which IFP held shares. In 1999, he became director of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Long-term Cooperation and Energy Policy Analysis Directorate. Olivier Appert has been Chairman and CEO of IFP since April 2003.