Eric Bigeard announced today that he will step down from his position of CEO of Lyreco as of December 31st 2010.

“It is a decision I took a few years ago”, declared Eric Bigeard. “I informed the main shareholder, Mr Gaspard, at the time I took it and he has always been very supportive”.

Eric Bigeard joined Lyreco in 1980 as Product Manager and took the position of CEO in 1988, driving the 15 million euros worth of sales French company to a key international player in the office supplies industry, doing more than 2 billion euros of sales in 29 countries.

“I am definitely still having a lot of fun running this company as I have done for the last 22 years but have always been convinced that at some point in time, Lyreco deserves to benefit from a different pair of eyes on the business as well as new energy. This is an opportunity I have always wanted for Lyreco and which explains my decision”, added Eric Bigeard.

The name of the next CEO of Lyreco is expected to be announced early September. Eric Bigeard will stay on the Conseil d’Administration of Lyreco and help the new CEO to succeed in her or his mission. He is also willing to do some business angeling and invest part of his time and energy in NGOs.