The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which represents over 45 million enterprises worldwide, has elected Philippe Varin as its new chair. Varin is a leader in the international sector.
Following a unanimous decision by the organization’s more than 90 national committees at its Global Headquarters in Paris, Varin succeeds Maria Fernanda Garza, who becomes the ICC’s Honorary Chair, according to a news release issued here today.
Varin chairs the C’Possible collaboration, which aims to improve vocational education prospects in France, and is an operating partner of the GVP Climate Investment Fund.
After working for Pechiney as Group Executive Vice President for Aluminum, he joined Corus as CEO in 2003 and oversaw its acquisition by Tata in 2007.
Additionally, he presided over PSA Peugeot Citroen from 2009 to 2014; after that, he oversaw Areva and Orano until 2020.
Upon his election Varin said: “I am deeply conscious that the founding mission of the International Chamber of Commerce – to promote peace and prosperity through global trade – is of immense strategic importance and a challenge in a world that is increasingly characterised by conflicts and intense geo-economic competition.”
During his two years as ICC Chair, Varin has outlined a five-pillar plan that includes international commerce, the rule of law, combating climate change, trade digitalization, and multilateral collaboration.
Three well-known business executives were also chosen by the ICC World Council to serve as its chairpersons: Kenyan Patrick Obath, Indonesian Shinta Kamdani, and Indian Harsh Pati Singhania, who served as first vice chair.
