A global technology leader in the aerospace, transportation, defence and security markets, Thales earned close to €15bn in 2016. Heading the legal function at this highly successful French business is group secretary and general counsel Isabelle Simon.

Since joining the organisation in April 2015, Simon has been commended by peers for her role in Thales’ acquisition of data security company Vormetric for $400m in 2016, and the acquisitions of Guavas the following year. Most significantly she is further bolstering her reputation as an elite counsel because of her involvement in Thales’ €4.65bn acquisition of Gemalto which will create a world leader in digital security.

The deal is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018. Before Simon joined Thales, she was deputy CEO at Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) as senior vice president with responsibility among others for development, legal affairs, real estate, marketing and sales, and communications. Between 2009 and 2011 she was senior vice-president at Publicis Groupe heading the M&A and legal departments whilst managing its external development strategy. Prior to this she had notable positions at Goldman Sachs and law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.