Thierry Martel, graduated from Ecole Polytechnique and the Institute of Sciences Politiques Paris before qualifying from the Institut des Actuaires Français (French Actuary Institute). He went on to be an Auditor for the Commission de Contrôle des Assurances for 3 years. He joined Groupama International in 1990 and then moved on to working for a Regional Caisse (Mutual) in September 1995. Before being nominated Director for Insurance Lines in 1999 he fulfilled various functions in Finance, HR, Communication and Institutional relations. Between November 2003 and March 2005, he was Group Director of the Audit and Actuary Division, within Groupama SA and then went on to Direct Personal Lines