Desmarest and Pouyanné to Lead Total for Now

Thierry Desmarest, former CEO of Total, has been named chairman of the company's board and Patrick Pouyanné as chief executive officer.

Following the death of chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie in an aviation accident in Russia last week, the company is splitting the two top jobs for an interim period.

At the end of 2015, when Desmarest, now 68, reaches the mandatory retirement age and steps down, the positions are to be merged again. Pouyanné is then expected to assume both functions.

Desmarest, who was CEO from 1995 to 2007, served as chairman from 2007 to 2010, is credited with engineering Total's acquisition of Belgium's Petrofina in 1999 and the subsequent hostile takeover of Elf Aquitaine.

Free Virtual Event

Vaccine Manufacturing
Bioprocess Forum

Vaccine Manufacturing

Join global experts and innovators for a two-day virtual event exploring the latest breakthroughs and best practices in vaccine manufacturing. Discover how new technologies and process innovations are shaping the future of vaccine production, safety, and scalability.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

most read

Photo
28.07.2025 • NewsChemistry

VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.