French Nuclear Group Orano Extends Leadership of Claude Imauven Amid Growing Energy Security Focus

French Nuclear Group Orano Extends Leadership of Claude Imauven Amid Growing Energy Security Focus

(IN BRIEF) Orano has announced the re-appointment of Claude Imauven as Chairman of its Board of Directors following approval by decree of the President of the French Republic. The renewal of his mandate follows a recommendation by the Board and hearings before France’s parliamentary economic affairs committees. Imauven, who has chaired the Board since 2020, will continue overseeing the company’s strategic direction during a period of heightened focus on energy security, decarbonisation and nuclear energy development. He emphasised the growing importance of nuclear power as a reliable and low-carbon energy source while reaffirming his commitment to supporting Orano’s long-term sustainable growth. Imauven brings decades of industrial and governmental leadership experience, including senior executive roles at Saint-Gobain and continued involvement with Orano since the company’s restructuring in 2017.

(PRESS RELEASE) SEINE, 7-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Orano has confirmed the re-appointment of Claude Imauven as Chairman of the Group’s Board of Directors following a decree issued by the President of the French Republic on May 6, 2026. The decision follows a proposal submitted by Orano’s Board of Directors on April 30 and comes after hearings before the economic affairs committees of both the French National Assembly and Senate.

Imauven, who first assumed the role in May 2020 and was re-appointed in April 2022, will continue overseeing the strategic direction of the French nuclear materials and energy company during a period marked by growing global focus on energy security, industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation.

In comments following the announcement, Imauven expressed gratitude for the renewed confidence placed in him by the Board and highlighted the increasingly important role of nuclear energy within the current geopolitical, climate and energy environment. He described nuclear power as a critical industrial solution capable of addressing major global challenges linked to reliable energy supply, economic competitiveness and emissions reduction.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to guiding the company’s long-term strategy and supervising its implementation to support stable and sustainable growth across Orano’s operations. According to Imauven, the company’s industrial expertise, technological capabilities and collective commitment remain central strengths supporting its position within the nuclear sector.

Orano operates across the nuclear fuel cycle and plays a major role in uranium mining, nuclear materials management, recycling and related technologies. The group continues to position itself as a key contributor to France’s and Europe’s broader energy transition strategies, particularly as governments increasingly reconsider nuclear power as part of long-term low-carbon energy planning.

Before joining Orano’s leadership, Imauven built an extensive career spanning both public administration and the industrial sector. A graduate of École Polytechnique and an engineer in the prestigious Corps des Mines, he began his professional career in 1983 at the French Ministry of Industry. He later served in several senior governmental and ministerial positions, including roles connected to foreign trade and industrial policy.

Imauven joined Saint-Gobain in 1993 within the Flat Glass Division, where he held several executive leadership roles over the following decades. His responsibilities included industrial policy, finance and international operations, including leadership positions covering Spain, Portugal and Morocco. He later became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pont-à-Mousson SA and President of Saint-Gobain’s Pipe Division before advancing to senior leadership positions within the wider Saint-Gobain Group. In 2016, he became Chief Operating Officer of Saint-Gobain, a role he held until 2019.

Imauven has served as a director of Orano since the company’s restructuring in 2017, contributing to the group’s strategic direction during a period of transformation for the global nuclear industry.

Media Contact:

Press Office:
+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15
press@orano.group

Investor:
Quesnoy Marc
investors@orano.group

SOURCE: Orano