Valerie Berthereaux profile

Valerie Berthereaux

Today, the corporate world has been making strides towards promoting more women into senior leadership positions. Despite this progress, there is still a lack of gender balance in these roles compared to what we hope to see in the years to come. However, women leaders have made great efforts in the advancement of their careers and achieved successes many weren’t sure were possible for them only a few years ago.

This trend is exemplified by leaders such as Valerie Berthereaux, the Chief Executive Officer of Eurexo, a company specializing in supporting insurance companies and mutual insurance companies during times of disaster. Berthereaux’s journey to the top in a traditionally male-dominated industry showcases the determination and resilience of women breaking conventional barriers. With her strategic vision and collaborative leadership style, Berthereaux has not only shattered glass ceilings but also spearheaded initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion within her organization.

A Journey of Perseverance

When she was young, Valerie suffered from a fatal illness and almost died, an experience that instilled in her the value of perseverance. Coming from a middle-class background, her father worked at French Telecom for 45 years, despite having the potential to attend high schools, he was compelled by his parents to start working at the age of 18. Her mother dropped out of school at age 14 and subsequently worked as a home nurse until she was 67.

From an early age, it was apparent that Valerie would pursue academic studies in a major business school, without depending on a husband for personal accomplishments. She has always been interested in sports, particularly volleyball, which she has been playing for 12 years, teaching her the importance of teamwork and continual success.

Valerie Berthereaux excelled academically and had a wide range of interests, leading her to pursue a degree from EM Lyon, the 4th ranked business school in France. Her studies provided her with a comprehensive understanding of how companies operate, without confining her to any specific sector or profession. This academic journey has helped her cultivate analytical skills, foster curiosity, and develop a strong appreciation for collaboration and teamwork.

A Career of Leadership and Transformation

Valerie Berthereaux began her career in 1993 at Accenture, an American consulting company, where she spent 16 years in France and Spain working on transformation projects for banks and insurance companies. She took pride in becoming the first female partner for Financial Services in France. Throughout her career, Valerie has consistently adhered to Accenture’s values of “team spirit,” “stewardship,” “client first,” and “think simple.” Her key competency during her tenure at Accenture was “claims transformation.”

In 2009, Valerie joined Generali, an insurance company, as its inaugural claims transformation officer. Three years later, she assumed the role of Audit Head for Generali France and Europ Assistance Worldwide, providing her with a comprehensive overview of the company. And in 2016, Valerie transitioned to Eurexo, a property loss-adjusters network, as the CEO, returning to her focus on claims transformation.

“When I joined Eurexo, it was facing significant challenges. The company had recently lost key customers, client service was below expectations, employee morale was low, and the company was operating at a loss,” sharedMrs. Berthereaux. Recognizing this as a substantial obstacle, the CEO of Eurexo worked tirelessly to revitalize the organization, ultimately achieving a remarkable 40% increase in revenue within just five years, positioning the company as one of the most profitable in its market. “In 2020, a private equity fund acquired Eurexo. My primary accomplishments included instilling pride in Eurexo employees and facilitating the founder’s transition to the sale while upholding the company’s core values of prioritizing clients and employees,”Mrs. Berthereaux continued.

As the CEO

As CEO, Valerie Berthereaux designs the company’s overall vision through a clear annual plan that is shared with all teams and customers. However, she also embodies a hands-on approach and avoids isolating herself in an “ivory tower.” Valerie dedicates 25% of her time to commercial meetings, 25% to operations, 25% to innovation & IT, and allocates the remaining 25% to finance, HR, and shareholder reporting.

Valerie maintains close relationships with her teams, and her management team shares this same approach. They conduct an annual survey among employees, where the proximity with the management team is consistently highlighted as a key differentiator for Eurexo. Additionally, they actively involve employees in all transformation projects.

Valerie Berthereaux, as an integral team member, emphasizes the importance of transparency and respect towards all clients, irrespective of their size, to her colleagues. Together with the management, she places a high priority on fostering team spirit, solidarity, and excellence within internal operations. They collaborate as a unified team, adopting a “warrior” mindset to pursue their objectives. “Maintaining a positive attitude and a sense of humor is essential,” Valerie Berthereaux emphasizes, “as it keeps us grounded and facilitates continuous self-improvement.”

On a Personal Note

Valerie Berthereaux feels incredibly fortunate to have a loving and supportive family and friends. Her two children bring her immense pride, and her closest friends have stood by her side for over 30 years, sharing both laughter and sorrow, with a continuous emphasis on finding joy. She maintains an active lifestyle by biking, running, or playing tennis every week, prioritizing regular exercise without pressure or competition, which she believes helps maintain both mental and physical strength.

Valerie holds a deep concern for the subject of disability, particularly as it affects some of the people closest to her. This personal sensitivity has heightened her awareness of this issue in her professional life. Consequently, she takes pride in partnering with organizations like ESS, ESAT, Café Joyeux, and Tremplin, all of which are making significant contributions in this field. Together, they strive to make a positive impact and create a more inclusive world for everyone.