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01 Management Team

Management Team

Claranova promotes autonomy for each of its activities and relies on the talent of experienced entrepreneurs who benefit from the additional leverage Claranova is able to provide as a Group

Pierre Cesarini
CEO of Claranova group

Pierre Cesarini joined the Group in 2013 as CEO. Drawing on his entrepreneurial vision and experience, he promptly reorganized the various businesses, invested in sectors of the future and ensured a return to profitability that would transform Claranova into a global technology player with half a billion euros in sales in just five years.

He began his career at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA. where he was instrumental in the creation of PowerMac After ten years at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, he founded TempoSoft, an HR solutions developer acquired by the US company Oracle in 2005. He then founded Atego, the world leader in embedded software, which he managed as CEO for six years until its acquisition by the PTC group. He holds an advanced engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Télécom Paris) and for more than ten years he has been sharing his experience as an entrepreneur at the École des Mines ParisTech school, where he teaches business management and development.

Xavier Rojo
Deputy CEO of Claranova group

Prior to joining the Claranova Group in 2022, Xavier Rojo occupied a number of strategic and financial management positions with major groups. With more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance, he has led numerous strategic and business development, transformation and digitization projects in France and other countries. Also an entrepreneur and coach, he has advised numerous companies (SMEs) and private banks on their restructuring and strategic development, and also assisted company directors address reconversion and management projects.

Eric Gareau
CEO, Avanquest

Eric joined Claranova in 2018 when it acquired Lulu Software (PDF), where he was CEO. Since joining the Group, he has successfully managed Avanquest’s transition to a subscription-based sales business model. He has more than 25 years of experience in sales and marketing software and fast moving consumer goods with large international companies.

Todd Helfstein
President, PlanetArt

In 1984, Todd Helfstein co-founded Nova Development, a leading publisher of PC consumer software products. Following its acquisition by Avanquest, the company strengthened its position, primarily through direct sales channel to end users. Within PlanetArt, he provides oversight in the areas of finance and operational planning.

Roger S. Bloxberg
CEO, PlanetArt

Co-founder of Nova Development, Roger S. Bloxberg joined the Group in January 2007 following the acquisition of this company by Avanquest.

Along with Todd Helfstein, he contributed to the launch of PlanetArt’s businesses and became its CEO. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, marketing and business development.

Kevin Bromber
CEO, myDevices

As the CEO of myDevices with more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector both as an investor and entrepreneur, Kevin Bromber is responsible for setting the vision, strategy and overall roadmap of Claranova’s IoT division.

 He has previously served as Co-Founder and CEO of 3DGreetings.com, an electronic greeting card company sold to Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT); Co-Founder and CEO of NowLive, an interactive, live broadcasting platform; and General Manager of Arvixe, a web hosting company sold to Endurance International Group (NASDAQ: EIGI).

02 Board of Directors

Board of directors

Combining expertise in technology sectors, entrepreneurship and investment, Claranova’s long-term development is spearheaded by an experienced Board of Directors.

Pierre Cesarini
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Pierre Cesarini joined the Group in 2013 as CEO. Drawing on his entrepreneurial vision and experience, he promptly reorganized the various businesses, invested in sectors of the future and ensured a return to profitability that would transform Claranova into a global technology player with half a billion euros in sales in just five years.

He began his career at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, CA. where he was instrumental in the creation of PowerMac After ten years at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, he founded TempoSoft, an HR solutions developer acquired by the US company Oracle in 2005. He then founded Atego, the world leader in embedded software, which he managed as CEO for six years until its acquisition by the PTC group. He holds an advanced engineering degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Télécom Paris) and for more than ten years he has been sharing his experience as an entrepreneur at the École des Mines ParisTech school, where he teaches business management and development.

Vivian Chaine-Ribeiro
Member of the Board of Directors and of the Audit Committee and Chair of the Appointments and Compensation Committee

As an emblematic figure of entrepreneurship, Viviane Chaine-Ribeiro has extensive experience in the digital universe acquired in technology companies, including Talentia Software that she managed for more than ten years and for which she is currently serving as the Chair of its Supervisory Board.

As the Syntec Federation’s first woman president and elected “Woman Entrepreneur of the Year” by the French business magazine, Usine Nouvelle, in 2012, she is an advocate for the success of women in the digital sector. She contributes her expertise and know-how to the service of both professional associations and public life, occupying in particular key positions at the MEDEF, France’s leading network of entrepreneurs, the French Federation of Very Small Businesses (FTPE) and as a member of the strategic committee promoting the attractiveness of the Île-de-France region.

Chirstine Hedouis
Member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee

Christine Hedouis is a senior manager of the finance function with more than 25 years of experience in auditing, accounting, entrepreneurship and financial management of growth companies.

After serving for nearly 20 years in French and international audit and accounting firms and corporations, Christine Hédouis is today the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer of Quanteam, an international consulting and IT engineering firm specialized in the bank and financial services sectors. Quanteam currently has more than 600 consultants in eight offices including Paris, London, New York and Montreal.

Francis Meston
Member of the Board of Directors and of the Appointments and Compensation Committee

Francis Meston has held key positions in major international technology groups where he developed his expertise, particularly in the telecommunications field. At Atos Group (CAC 40 listed company), he served as Executive Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee, Director of the IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa) division and Group Digital Transformation Officer. He was also head of the global “Consulting & Systems Integration” division. With experience in the technology sector spanning several decades, he was also Vice-President at AT Kearney and Gemini Consulting and then CEO of EDS France.

Luisa Munaretto
Member of the Board of Directors

A renowned private equity professional, Luisa Munaretto is a co-founder of IndEU Capital, a fund specializing in luxury brands that operates in the digital innovation sector. 

She spent around 15 years at 21 Partners, an investment company founded by the Benetton family, where she held various management positions and conducted numerous investments in France and Italy.

Jean-Loup Rousseau
Member of the Board of Directors and of the Audit Committee

In 2002, Jean-Loup Rousseau founded the independent consulting company, Proveho Advisory, dedicated to industrial and technology companies. He previously worked at the KTH consulting firm (Marsh & McLennan group), Amkor Technology and Schlumberger Technologies.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in the technology industry, assisting a large number of companies in their development.

Roger S. Bloxberg
Member of the Board of Directors

Co-founder of Nova Development, Roger S. Bloxberg joined the Group in January 2007 following the acquisition of this company by Avanquest.

Along with Todd Helfstein, he contributed to the launch of PlanetArt’s businesses and became its CEO. His areas of expertise include strategic planning, marketing and business development.