CAC-listed Legrand is a French industrials group that is perhaps best known for its provision of switches and sockets where it has a large share of the global market; in addition to its other ranges of electrical equipment. In early 2018, Legrand announced its acquisition of Milestone AV Technologies, a frontrunner in audio video infrastructure and power – allowing Legrand to further strengthen its position in the US digital infrastructure market.

Assisting on this transaction as well as having oversight of all of Legrand’s legal affairs is group general counsel Bénédicte Bahier, who began her legal career in 2002 as a private practice lawyer with Linklaters, practicing for approximately five years. Bahier then joined Legrand in 2007 as a lawyer in charge of corporate and governance issues. Impressing internal business staff with her efficient, pragmatic and accurate legal advice, she was promoted to the position of head of risk management and then to the role of head of legal affairs, joining the management committee at the same time as the latter. Bahier is also recognised for her role in accompanying the launch of Legrand’s Eliot programme, which is an innovative connected objects initiative utilising the IoT.