Xavier Hürstel
Deputy Executive Officer in charge of coordinating the Group's development operations

Born on 24 May 1969, a graduate of the IEP (French Political Studies Institute) in Paris and Paris-Dauphine University, former student of ENA (French National Administration School), Xavier Hürstel has held senior management positions in corporate companies for over ten years, after spent fifteen years in the service of the French State.

Xavier Hürstel started his career as a civil administrator in the Budget Department, where he notably dealt with social policies over public companies and was a member of the French negotiating delegation of the Stability Pact (1995-1999).

He then joined the France's representation for the European Union (EU) in Brussels and was Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Council of the EU (1999-2002).

Between 2002 and 2006, he was advisor within the cabinet of several Ministers of Economy, Finance and Budget, also within the French Prime Minister Offices in the cabinet of Jean-Pierre Raffarin, and then Dominique de Villepin.

In 2008, he joined the PMU (French horse betting company) as Chief Operating Officer, and became Chairman and CEO in 2014. He has deployed a deep digital transformation of the company in the context of the opening of the online gaming market, and supported the strong international expansion of the company. 

In 2017, he joined the Sopra Steria consulting and technology group, as executive director where he sponsored all of the Group's public sector activities in Europe as well as the transformation of Marketing, Communication and CSR functions.