Pierre Bilger (May 27, 1940 – March 4, 2011) was a French high-ranking civil servant and businessman. He was a tax inspector and advisor to several ministers. He served as the chief executive officer of Alstom from 1991 to 2003.

Pierre Bilger
Born(1940-05-27)27 May 1940
Colmar, France
Died4 March 2011(2011-03-04) (aged 70)
Paris, France
NationalityFrench
EducationSciences Po, ÉNA
Occupation(s)Businessman and civil servant
Known forCEO of Alstom (1991-2003)
Children5
FamilyPhilippe Bilger (brother)

Early life edit

Pierre Bilger was born on May 27, 1940, in Colmar, France.[1][2] His father, Joseph Bilger, was an agrarian politician who received a ten-year jail sentence after World War II for collaborating with Nazi Germany.[3] Bilger grew up in Montargis with his mother, his two brothers (economist François Bilger and prosecutor Philippe Bilger), and his sister.[1][4]

Bilger was educated at the Collège Saint-Louis, a Roman Catholic school in Montargis.[3] He graduated from Sciences Po and the École nationale d'administration.[1][5]

Career edit

Bilger served as a tax inspector and he authored a report on the monthly payment of the income tax (as opposed to annually).[1] His report subsequently led to a new law passed by parliament. Meanwhile, Bilger worked for Treasury Minister Jean-Pierre Fourcade, Labour Ministers Michel Durafour and Robert Boulin, and Budget Minister Maurice Papon.[2]

Bilger joined Alstom in 1987.[1] He served as its chief executive officer from 1991 to 2003.[1] During his tenure, two of its shareholders, General Electric Company plc and Alcatel, divested from Alstom.[4][5] Meanwhile, Bilger spearheaded its international expansion.[4] Upon his retirement in 2003, he turned down a 4.1 million Euro golden parachute because Alstom was experiencing difficulties.[5]

Bilger served on the boards of directors of Société Générale, Thales Group and Eurotunnel.[4]

Bilger was the author of two books. He became an Officer of the Legion of Honour and a Commander of the National Order of Merit.[4]

Personal life and death edit

Bilger was married, and had 5 children.[4]

Bilger died of leukemia on March 4, 2011, in Paris.[1][2] He was 70 years old.[2]

Works edit

  • Bilger, Pierre (2004). Quatre millions d'euros : le prix de ma liberté. Paris: Bourin éditeur. ISBN 9782849410080. OCLC 418960320.
  • Bilger, Pierre (2007). Causeries à bâtons rompus. Paris: Le Publieur. ISBN 9782350610115. OCLC 470849564.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Décès de l'ex-PDG d'Alstom, Pierre Bilger". Le Figaro. March 5, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Lauer, Stéphane (March 7, 2011). "Pierre Bilger". Le Monde. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Robert-Diard, Pascale (July 21, 2008). "Les Bilger, fils d'une ambition". Le Monde. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Décès de l'ancien PDG d'Alstom Pierre Bilger". La Dépêche du Midi. March 5, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Pierre Bilger, ancien président d'Alstom, est mort". L'Obs. March 5, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2016.