As CEO of Foyer Group, founded over a century ago, Marie-Hélène Massard is steering the Luxembourg group through a period of profound change. As she explains, “We are facing persistent geopolitical tensions, inflations, growing regulatory pressure, but also more structural transformations, such as the rise of AI or climate change.”
“AI, for instance, is fundamentally reshaping the insurance landscape. Data, digitalisation and AI are opening up considerable opportunities, from better risk assessment to more personalised customer experiences, while also creating new risks, particularly around cybersecurity.” But no matter what the challenge, Foyer Group’s approach includes the conviction that “innovation is essential, but people must remain at the heart of what we do,” she adds.
Massard’s career hasn’t been shaped by dramatic reinventions but, having worked across insurance, banking, strategy and transformation, she has steadily expanded her perspective and breadth of expertise. Curiosity has been a driving force behind her evolution, with her “constant desire to learn, to understand and to step outside my comfort zone”.
Just as she sees herself as being fortunate in those who have trusted and believed in her throughout her career, she sees it as her responsibility to help other talents develop. “This dimension of transmission has become very important to me.”
Reflecting on her own career, Massard says that she has been proud to contribute to collective success and believes “the strongest transformations are those that endure over time and bring people with them.” She also wishes she had trusted herself more at the start of her career. “Over time,” she adds, “I have understood that there is no single way to lead, and that authenticity is a strength.”
Her advice to young professionals is to be bold while staying open and curious, and to continue learning in an ever-changing world. Technical expertise remains essential, but long-term success also depends on the ability to build trust, listen, collaborate and unite people around a shared vision.
This portrait was published in the 10th edition of Forbes Luxembourg.
