François Debiesse

A long-term banker with Paribas and then BNP Paribas, François Debiesse managed the Group’s Private Banking for almost 20 years. He became involved in corporate philanthropy after the creation in 1984 of the Paribas Foundation, which he chaired from 1995 to 2008. He is the author of “Que sais-je” on corporate philanthropy.

From the comparison of this experience and the need that he perceived in the large French and international private clientele to commit to actions of general interest, the idea of the philanthropy support service that he initiated at the end of 2007 within the Private Bank of BNP Paribas, and the creation of the Fondation de l’Orangerie for Individual Philanthropy, which he still presides over, was born. François Debiesse now provides recognized support for the development and promotion of philanthropy in France and around the world.

President of Admical since 2015, he also works with his team to develop corporate philanthropy for businesses and entrepreneurs. Finally, he chaired the Ballet Preljocaj in Aix-en-Provence from 2006 to 2020 and still sits on its board of directors as well as those of the Fondation du Collège de France, the ADP Foundation, Habitat et Humanisme, Convergences and the FXB International Association. In 2006, he was decorated with the insignia of Chevalier dans l’Odre des Arts et des lettres.