About

L’Oréal’s group general counsel Yannick Chalme has been with the cosmetics company for 15 years, helping to protect its world-renowned brands in the face of growing infringement globally. His profile among French lawyers is significant and he is known as one of the leading figures in-house. In 2010 he was appointed president of Le Cercle Montesquieu, the prestigious French association of in-house lawyers. Chalme began his career with French oil and gas installation contractors GTM-Entrepose ETPM (now Stolt Offshore), where he supported the company on legal matters surrounding marine oil projects. A rare breed of lawyer, Chalme has moved in and out of private practice throughout his career and has held senior in-house positions in a number of sectors. In 1987 he moved to Thomson CSF’s (now Thales Group) to help oversee its aeronautical equipment team as deputy legal director. After a spell in private practice he moved to tourism and leisure company Club Mediterranée as group general counsel and secretary of the board.