Fondation Nexans: Bertrand Julian, General Delegate, passes the baton

In February 2025, Bertrand Julian, General Delegate of the Fondation Nexans, is stepping down from his role and leaving the Nexans Group to retire. He will be succeeded by Mary Malone, previously HR Projects Manager & CHRO PA.

Before his departure, the Fondation wanted to reflect with him on his journey and the significant moments he has experienced within the organization.

Bertrand, when did you first learn about the Fondation Nexans?

From its very inception in 2013. When it was created, I joined the board of directors within the second college as a representative of Nexans France employees, in the role currently held by Stéphanie Pinheiro.
At the time the Foundation was established, I was an employee representative within the Central Works Council of Nexans France. Since they were looking for someone from the employee base, I volunteered and was selected by other Nexans France representatives to join the board. In a way, I have known the Fondation Nexans from the very beginning.

Was it this experience as a board member that led you to become General Delegate of the Foundation?

At its creation, the Foundation was part of the Group's CSR department. The head of this department was, by default, the General Secretary of the Foundation. Around 2017, after 28 years in a commercial role within the Group and with a desire to be useful in a different way, I seized the opportunity offered to me by Laurence Vandaele (then CSR Director), who proposed that I join the Foundation as a full-time employee.

What are your memories of the early days of the Fondation Nexans?

Excellent! As with any new project, there was enthusiasm and goodwill, but everything had to be structured. When the Foundation was created at the initiative of Nexans' CEO, everything needed to be put in place: governance, organization, and missions. The first board meetings were simpler and less structured than they are today. I have witnessed all the changes and progress made since 2013. The Fondation Nexans has evolved significantly.

What are the main changes you have seen?

The Foundation's statutes and missions have changed: in addition to energy access, education, professional integration, and environmental concerns have been added.

There has been a geographic rebalancing of projects between Africa and South America, as well as a more structured, streamlined, and professional project selection and evaluation process within the two governance bodies: the board of directors and the selection committee.

We have become much more efficient.

This evolution is also reflected in the priority given to supporting projects in territories where the Nexans Group is already present.

Another key development is the growing involvement of country managers, sites, and employees. Today, they can contribute to the Foundation in many ways:

• As members of the selection and evaluation committee
• As project mentors
• As local sponsors

This has made a huge difference in the field. None of this existed in our early days.

And what about NGOs and associations?

Significant changes there as well. We have developed multi-year partnerships, which involve long-term follow-up and sustainable relationships. In this same spirit, we have worked with them on impact reporting, assessing the social, economic, and environmental effects of projects over several years. This is an important initiative that we must continue to develop together.

To improve and sustain our relationships, we have also created a classification system to identify our key partners. This has been a very effective tool, especially for multi-year projects.

After more than ten years with the Foundation, what is your best memory?

The inauguration of the Shems’y village in Morocco in October 2024. I had the opportunity to meet with association teams we work with in Morocco, such as IECD and SOS Children's Village. It was my first time on the ground, directly with the beneficiaries—a very powerful moment.

Additionally, my role as General Delegate taught me a lot professionally. It was a real challenge. I had to take charge of the Foundation’s communication, increase its visibility on social media, and revamp the website. I am proud to have created Nexans’ only Instagram account, the Foundation’s. This proves that one can learn new things at any age and adapt.

Finally, I will always remember the impact the Foundation has had in the countries where we operate. The commitment of local employees, whether as sponsors or volunteers, is admirable. There is a fundamental spirit of mutual aid.

Is there a particular project that stands out to you?

The SOS Children’s Village project in Morocco. This organization does incredible work, allowing siblings to grow up together in a warm family home, surrounded by the care and attention of a family educator—their “SOS mother or father.” The association supports them throughout their education, up to higher studies, and provides psychological, cultural, and emotional support in five villages. They do extraordinary work. We contributed to the electrification of the Aït Ourir village by providing solar panels. This project embodies all of the Foundation’s missions: electrification, education, and environmental impact.

What’s important about the Foundation is that it has helped make the Group more visible and showcase the Nexans brand in a different way. In this role, I felt useful in a new way and discovered the importance and professionalism of the international non-profit sector. Seeing firsthand the joy of communities whose daily lives have been transformed through access to renewable energy is immensely rewarding.

A meeting that left a lasting impression?

There are two. First, Patricia Djomseu, the president of Women of Africa, and then Ange Eric Kouassi, the founder of the Shekina association. These two women are fighters—brilliant and inspiring. They take on numerous projects, they are energetic and determined, and they never set limits for themselves. It is personalities like theirs that drive progress in Africa.

Developing entrepreneurship and women's autonomy, electrifying maternity wards—these are not common ambitions, yet they succeed.

Do you have any advice for your successor, Mary Malone?

Dare, innovate, and don’t set limits for yourself. Be proud of what you accomplish. Always keep in mind that good coordination between all stakeholders is key.

What are your hopes for the Fondation Nexans?

That it becomes even more visible and recognized, both internally and externally, and that it can finance even more great projects. I also hope it will collaborate more with other foundations that share the same mission, because together, we can achieve more and do better.