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Arnaud Rolland (SKEMA 1994) VP Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Lagardère Travel Retail
Arnaud Rolland (SKEMA 1994) didn't learn about sustainability at school. The current vice-president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Lagardère Travel Retail is a self-taughtEnvironmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expert. As the man who spent over 20 years at Coca-Cola asserts: "It's by talking to your ecosystem that you get a better understanding of the issues at stake". Portrait taken from the first issue of GLIMPSE magazine.
A self-made man from ESG
"You learn a lot from the experts in each subject. If you're interested in recycling, go and see the people whose job it is, they'll explain how they work, how they process waste and packaging. They'll explain to you how they work, how they process waste and packaging. Go and see the materials sectors: glass, plastic, cardboard... They'll explain to you what's at stake, what the problems are. I've been to factories, and it's by talking to your ecosystem, your value chain, that you understand all the issues linked to each stage in the production of a product."
From strategy...
"If CSR isn't supported by the board of directors, the CEO and the management committee, it can't work. The first thing an investor looks at is who is involved in defining the company's CSR strategy. If it remains solely at an operational level, we're missing the point."
...in the field
"We have a lot of stores, so we can try things in some, use them as laboratories, implement disruptive elements to see how people react."
An eye for innovation and a vision of the future
"I follow with interest all the companies that have a 'shadow ComEx' or a ComEx of young people to bring a fresh look to the company. The world in 10 years' time will be different from that of today. It won't be a revolution, but a real evolution. Consumers are changing, and the younger generations have different expectations. There will be much more transparency and information for consumers.
Today, when you go shopping, you don't know the environmental impact of the products you buy. In 10 years' time, this will be the norm. So people will be able to make choices based on arbitration, and price won't be the only criterion.
KEY DATES
1994
Graduated from SKEMA Business School
2000
Joined Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
2008-2023
CSR/Sustainable Development Director Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
2016
Wins the LSA Trophy for Carbon Reduction
2023
Becomes Vice President CSR at Lagardère Travel Retail
