Jean-François Théodore was a fixture in previous years’ FN100 lists, having served as the chief executive of Euronext from its formation in 2000 until April 2007 when he managed its sale to US exchange giant the New York Stock Exchange and assumed the role of deputy chief executive of NYSE Euronext.

Théodore stayed in this post until December last year when he stepped down to be replaced by former general manager of IBM in south-west Europe, Dominique Cerruti.