Paris Brain Institute announces Serge Weinberg’s election as President of its Board of Directors. He succeeds Gérard Saillant, our Founding President, who becomes Honorary President after fifteen years of dedicated service to the Institute.
Gérard Saillant, a globally respected professor of orthopedic and trauma surgery, has made an outstanding contribution to French medicine through his expertise in traumatology and sports medicine.He taught and practiced medicine at AP-HP (Paris Public Hospital Network) teaching hospital, and was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. He was one of the founders of Paris Brain Institute, driven by his belief that neuroscience research required a fresh approach. He has been the Institute’s President since it was first established. Thanks to his impetus and that of all the Institute’s founding members, the Institute has become a leading scientific authority and is renowned for its unique model that combines basic and clinical research and innovation within Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital.
I have had the honor of chairing the Institute’s Board of Directors since it was first founded 15 years ago, and of witnessing the growth of a model unparalleled in Europe.Together, with all the Institute’s members, partners and donors, we have overcome many challenges, passed milestones and shared collective successes. But, like all organizations, if we want to continue to thrive, it's important to know when it’s time to start a new chapter.The time has come for me to pass the baton on to my friend Serge Weinberg, who has played a pivotal role in our history and who has a strong strategic vision. I wish him every success in his new role.
Serge Weinberg, a prominent figure in France’s business world and founder of Weinberg Capital Partners since 2005, holds a law degree and studied at Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, as well as the ENA (École Nationale d’Administration), France’s civil service graduate school. After holding various civil service positions between 1976 and 1981, Weinberg became chief of staff to Budget Minister Laurent Fabius in 1981. From 1982 to 1987 he held executive positions at France 3 and Havas Tourisme. For three years, he served as General Manager of Pallas Finance, before joining the Pinault group in 1990 as President of CFAO. From 1991 to 1995, he served as CEO of Rexel, before chairing the executive board of the PPR group for 10 years. From 2010 to 2023, he served as Chair of the Board of Directors at Sanofi. In April 2022, he was appointed director of Kering Group. Serge Weinberg is also a member of the Board of Directors of the French Association of Private Enterprises (AFEP). In 2018, he founded the ‘Changer par le Don’ initiative with Denis Duverne to help boost the culture of philanthropy in France.
Serge Weinberg was actively involved in founding Paris Brain Institute and served as its treasurer for 15 years.
First of all, I would like to express my warmest thanks to the Board of Directors of Paris Brain Institute for placing their trust in me, and to express my deep gratitude to my friend Gérard Saillant, whose dedication and vision have contributed so much to the Institute’s success.I will focus on continuing the trajectory already established, by further developing this unique model that combines the visionary ambition of its founders with the strength of major partners – Inserm, CNRS, AP-HP and Sorbonne University.On 1st January 2025, the Institute was also fortunate to welcome Professor Stéphanie Debette as its new Executive Director.Her ambitious vision, driven by remarkable scientific rigor and an international outlook, are a formidable asset for the future. Her roadmap is geared towards empowering researchers to accelerate the discovery of new treatments and make a major, tangible difference to the lives of patients and their families. This will be the focus of my attention.
As well as the appointment of Serge Weinberg as President of the Board of Directors, there is a new Board of Directors, the composition of which will now be as follows:
- President: Serge Weinberg, Chairman of Weinberg Capital Partners
- Vice President: Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety
- Secretary: Jean Glavany, Former Minister
- Treasurer: Eddie Misrahi, Senior Advisor at Seven2
Read more here: Full Composition of the Board of Directors
Serge Weinberg appointed President of Paris Brain Institute Board of Directors
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