Jean François PONTAL is Chief Executive of Orange.

He started his career in 1966 with the Bossard Institute as a specialist consultant in the field of human resource management. After leaving in 1979, he worked for French supermarket Carrefour until 1996, first as Operations Director and then as Managing Director of its Spanish subsidiary Pryca.

Jean-François has been on the Executive Management Committee of France Telecom since February 1996, assuming his current role within Orange in August 2000.

During the last year, he has overseen the global integration strategy of Orange while leading the company.

He describes Orange as “a pioneering company” which is leading the way toward the next generation of mobile telephony. He says: “The mobile industry is changing so fast and the challenges that it presents are certainly exciting. Those challenges are made all the more enjoyable at Orange, working with some inspiring and visionary people – people who have taken us to where we are today, and will take us to where we want to be tomorrow.”

Jean-François cites his biggest strength as being customer focussed – a skill learned during his 17 years in the retail business. His hobbies include spending time with his family, sailing and tennis.