Kepler Cheuvreux announces the appointment of Frédéric Méron as new Group CEO and Christophe Leblanc as Group Deputy CEO to accelerate its product diversification, geographical growth and digital strategy.

Frédéric Méron has been appointed Group CEO of Kepler Cheuvreux, bringing extensive experience in global markets and business development. His background combines senior leadership roles at leading financial institutions, in-depth knowledge of financial markets, and a strong focus on technologies and innovation.

He will lead the group’s development, leveraging Kepler Cheuvreux’s well-established client coverage and diversified product offering. He will also specifically ensure stronger integration of technology and AI as core business components, to drive efficiency gains and develop digital offerings for clients.

Christophe Leblanc has joined Kepler Cheuvreux’s Management Board as Group Deputy CEO. With more than 35 years of experience at a leading bank, notably in various COO roles, Christophe will oversee the group control and support functions and lead the group’s transformation and project management capabilities across all business lines and functions.

After five years as Group CEO, Grégoire Varenne has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee. In these positions, he will continue to support the group’s governance, sharing his deep knowledge of Kepler Cheuvreux.

The Supervisory Board will also benefit from the appointment of Olivier Khayat. With over 35 years of experience in investment banking and senior executive roles across major European financial institutions, he will support the continued development of Kepler Cheuvreux’s Asset Management franchise.

“These appointments illustrate Kepler Cheuvreux’s ambition to pursue its development and transformation through leveraging its large client base and new technologies,” commented Laurent Quirin, Founder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kepler Cheuvreux.

Kepler Cheuvreux’s growth is supported both by its core businesses of Equity, Kepler Cheuvreux Solutions, Corporate Finance, and Fixed Income & Credit, and by the accelerated development of newer activities, including Asset Management, ETFs, and Listed Derivatives, reinforcing the basis for further revenue diversification.

About Frédéric Méron

Frédéric Méron has over 30 years of experience in global markets, corporate & investment banking, and senior management roles at leading international financial institutions.

Since 2020, he has served as Head of Transformation & Transversal Group for the Global Markets Division at Credit Agricole CIB.

From 2017 to 2020, he was COO for Global Markets at Natixis.

From 2005 to 2017, he held several senior positions at Credit Agricole CIB, serving as CFO, Global Head of Equity & Fund Derivatives, Head of Strategy for Newedge and Chairman of the Risk & Audit Committee of CACEIS.

Earlier in his career, Frédéric Méron started as a Quant at Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking, where he spent 10 years in various front-office roles in the Equity Derivatives division.

About Christophe Leblanc

Christophe Leblanc has over 35 years of experience in investment banking, global markets, and senior operational leadership at Société Générale.

Since 2024, he has been advising organisations on strategic and complex projects with a focus on operational efficiency, digital transformation, and operational resilience.

From 2017 to 2022, Christophe Leblanc was Group Head of Corporate Resources and Digital Transformation at Société Générale and a member of the Group Executive Committee, overseeing technology, innovation, real estate, purchasing, and offshore captive centres. He subsequently led the Group Operational Resilience Mission from 2022 to 2024 on behalf of senior management.

Earlier in his career, he held several senior operational roles at Société Générale, including COO of Global Banking and Investor Solutions, and COO for Capital Markets.

Christophe Leblanc began his career in Société Générale’s General Inspection.

About Olivier Khayat

Olivier Khayat has over 35 years of experience in investment banking and senior executive roles at leading European financial institutions.

Between 2011 and 2021, he held several senior leadership positions at UniCredit, including Deputy Head and Co-Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Co-CEO of Western Europe Banking, and Member of the UniCredit Executive Management Committee. He also served on the Supervisory Boards of HypoVereinsbank and UniCredit Bank Austria AG.

Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Société Générale in Corporate & Investment Banking, including Global Head of Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities and Global Co-Head of Capital Raising and Financing.

Olivier Khayat began his career in fixed income at CCF.