
Renault names procurement chief Francois Provost as new CEO
named
Francois Provost
, its chief procurement officer, as CEO on Wednesday, opting for a little-known company insider to steer the French carmaker through growing competition and weak demand that triggered a
profit warning
earlier this month.
The appointment, effective from July 31, comes a month after former boss Luca de Meo abruptly resigned to join luxury group Kering.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Please select course:
Select a Course Category
Provost takes on the job at a critical time for Renault, which has fared better than many of its peers over the last year thanks to a focus on Europe that insulates it from trade turmoil caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
But its reliance on Europe makes it more vulnerable to the region's sluggish growth, and weaker-than-expected June volumes led it to cut its full-year margin forecast earlier this month and step up
cost-cutting measures
.
The French carmaker cited Provost's "strong international experience in both operational and strategic roles, an in-depth understanding of the sector's challenges, and a strategic vision" as reasons for his appointment.
Live Events
Provost, 57, spearheaded the automaker's transformation plan unveiled in 2022 by De Meo. He had been named Director of International Development and Partnerships in 2020, and then Director of Public Affairs in 2021.
Although not widely considered the top contender in the CEO race, the board likely looked to his international experience and his understanding of company strategy ahead of a new strategic plan to be unveiled later this year, said Michael Foundoukidis, analyst at Oddo-BHF.
Provost has been pivotal in creating and extending Renault's partnership arrangements, including its cooperation with Geely in South Korea, the reshaping of Renault's partnership with Nissan, and the Horse ICE powertrain joint venture with Geely and Aramco, said Morningstar analyst Rella Suskin.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
13 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PhonePe's Indus Appstore strikes pact with Alcatel after Lava, Xiaomi
Fintech major PhonePe's Indus Appstore, a homegrown Android applications marketplace, has struck a strategic original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partnership with French consumer technology brand Alcatel. As part of the partnership, Indus Appstore will come pre-installed as the app store on all Alcatel smartphones in India. This marks the third OEM partnership for Indus. Previously, it has partnered with consumer technology brands such as Lava and Xiaomi. The Indus Appstore offers a catalogue of verified mobile apps and games across 45 categories. It supports 12 Indian languages, enables voice search in 10 regional languages, and features a video-led app discovery experience that allows users to preview apps before downloading them. 'This collaboration enables Alcatel users to discover and experience apps through a homegrown platform that delivers true localisation and personalisation. This partnership also expands Indus Appstore's reach while providing developers and marketers opportunities to showcase their apps and connect with more users across India,' said Priya M Narasimhan, Chief Business Officer, Indus Appstore. Alcatel is a brand independently operated by TCL Communication under a trademark licensing agreement with Nokia. NxtCell holds exclusive brand authorisation from TCL to represent and operate the Alcatel brand in India and select international markets. NxtCell India plans to begin smartphone manufacturing within the next 12 to 18 months. 'Partnering with PhonePe's Indus Appstore allows us to deliver a digital experience tailored to Indian preferences right from the first boot. They have been an integral part of our journey since the beginning, and we look forward to a long-term partnership,' said Atul Vivek, Chief Business Officer, NxtCell India.


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Andrew Tulloch education qualifications: The Sydney University medalist and Cambridge topper who said no to Meta's $1.5 billion offer
In Silicon Valley, few stories spread faster than one involving a billionaire's offer, and someone bold enough to refuse it. That's exactly what happened when Andrew Tulloch, a low-key but highly respected Australian computer scientist, turned down a job offer from Mark Zuckerberg 's Meta, an offer reportedly worth up to $1.5 billion over six years, according to the Wall Street Journal . But Tulloch's decision didn't come out of nowhere. It was backed by a career built on intellectual rigor, world-class research, and an academic journey that reads like a roadmap to AI excellence. From earning Australia's top school scores to topping exams at Cambridge, Tulloch's story is one of sustained brilliance and meaningful choices. The Perth Prodigy Tulloch's academic journey began at Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont, Western Australia. Even in school, he stood out not just as a scholar, but as a leader and all-rounder. He graduated with a TER (Tertiary Entrance Rank) of 99.95, the highest possible in the state, placing him in the top percentile of Australian students. He wasn't just a high scorer on paper. Tulloch served as school vice-captain, led his teams as captain of debating and mock trials, and was a member of the 1st XI cricket and hockey teams. It was clear early on: this was a student with both academic firepower and leadership flair. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn 57+ Languages Easily with AI [Join] Talkpal AI Undo Academic brilliance at University of Sydney In 2007, Tulloch enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) program at the University of Sydney, where he focused on mathematics and statistics—disciplines that would later power breakthroughs in AI. He didn't just graduate with First Class Honours, but he was also awarded the University Medal, the highest academic distinction given to the top-performing honours student in the Faculty of Science. Tulloch also received the Science Achievement Prize for having the highest GPA across the entire faculty. At this stage, Tulloch had already marked himself as one of the top young minds in Australia. Mastering math at Cambridge Driven by a thirst for deeper theoretical knowledge, Tulloch crossed the globe to study at the University of Cambridge, enrolling in the elite Part III of the Mathematical Tripos, widely regarded as one of the most challenging postgraduate math programs in the world. At Trinity College, Tulloch pursued a Master of Mathematical Statistics, specialising in statistics and machine learning. Once again, he rose to the top. Graduating with Distinction, Tulloch earned a prize from Trinity College for achieving the highest grade in his cohort. T his combination of raw intellect, mathematical precision, and international training became the foundation of his future impact in AI. Beyond academia: From Goldman Sachs to OpenAI Tulloch's professional journey mirrored his academic one: disciplined, ambitious, and focused. After a brief stint as a strategist at Goldman Sachs, where he applied quantitative modelling to financial markets, he joined Meta (then Facebook) in 2012. There, over more than a decade, Tulloch helped build the AI infrastructure that powers Meta's platforms including major contributions to PyTorch, now one of the world's most widely used machine learning frameworks. In 2023, Tulloch joined OpenAI, where he worked on GPT‑4, GPT‑4o, and other advanced reasoning systems. Just over a year later, in 2025, he co-founded Thinking Machines Lab with former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati: a startup aiming to build transparent, customisable, and safe AI at scale. When $1.5 billion isn't enough It was shortly after launching Thinking Machines Lab that Meta came knocking again—this time with an aggressive push to recruit Tulloch and his team. According to WSJ , Tulloch was offered a compensation package worth up to $1.5 billion over six years. That figure included stock options, bonuses, and long-term incentives. But Tulloch said no. In fact, not a single member of his team defected to Meta. Why? For Tulloch, it was never just about money. The opportunity to build something meaningful, aligned with his vision of responsible AI, mattered more than a billion-dollar payout. Lessons from a billion-dollar rejection Andrew Tulloch's academic path, from a perfect TER score to topping Cambridge's toughest math program, is not just a story of rare intelligence. It's a story of discipline, curiosity, and long-term thinking. In a tech landscape often obsessed with shortcuts, Tulloch's journey proves that a solid educational foundation still matters, perhaps more than ever. He reminds us that it's not always the biggest offer that shapes your future, but the biggest purpose. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
What if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's combined $1.74 billion net worth is split across the U.S. – you won't believe what it can buy
NFL star Travis Kelce and pop sensation Taylor Swift have been together since 2023. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are more than just one of the most talked-about celebrity couples in the entertainment world. Together, they are a cultural force – and a financial one, too. With Swift continuing to dominate the music industry and Kelce cementing his legacy as one of the NFL's top-league stars, the duo has amassed a combined net worth of about a whopping $1.67 billion. But in a fun thought experiment, we wondered: what if they gave all of it away evenly to every person in the United States? Let's find out! Taylor Swift net worth – her billion-dollar music empire continues to grow Taylor Swift alone is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion as of mid-2025. That number officially makes her the richest female musician of all time, even if she were to compete with Rihanna. Her catalog is estimated to be worth $600 million on its own, factoring in ownership rights, licensing and long-term earning potential. Touring has brought in roughly $800 million to date, with her global Eras Tour continuing to shatter records. That apart, Taylor Swift owns several properties across the U.S., with her real estate holdings currently valued at around a mind-boggling $110 million. Travis Kelce brings NFL star power and millions of his own Travis Kelce, meanwhile, has built an impressive financial portfolio of his own. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is worth approximately $70 million. That includes over a decade of NFL contracts, including Super Bowl wins and performance bonuses, as well as high-profile endorsements and top brand deals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One plan. Total peace of mind. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo He has also moved into the entertainment space, growing his off-field visibility through podcasting, commercials and public appearances. What if Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce gave it all away? A quick math check Together, Swift and Kelce's combined net worth adds up to $1.67 billion. If they were to share that amount equally with every person in the United States – currently around 342 million people – each American would receive approximately $4.88. That's not life-changing money – but it's enough to cover a cup of coffee or a fast-food meal! It's also a sharp reminder of just how massive the U.S. population really is and how even the largest celebrity fortunes barely make a dent when divided across the nation. Also read : Dez Bryant drops bombshell Nicki Minaj tease in explosive Jerry Jones feud — NFL and Barbz fans go wild Beyond the numbers, Swift and Kelce are arguably the most influential celebrity pairing in both entertainment and sports right now. With Swift still breaking records and Kelce continuing to chase Super Bowl rings with the Kansas City Chiefs, their relationship has only amplified public interest. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!