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 École Polytechnique and the Corps des Mines, Jean-Bernard Lafonta began his career in various ministerial offices in France. 

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

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

In 2010, Jean-Bernard Lafonta founded the 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.

Jean-Bernard Lafonta is currently:

• 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 Board of Tessi,
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Kiloutou,
• Member of the Supervisory Board of Sodel.