Early Life
Marie Besnier Beauvalot was born on July 30, 1980, in Laval, Mayenne, France. She is the daughter of Michel Besnier, the former CEO of Lactalis, and the granddaughter of André Besnier, the founder of the Besnier Group (later Lactalis). She grew up in Laval alongside her two older brothers, Emmanuel and Jean-Michel Besnier, in a household deeply embedded in the dairy industry. The family's ancestral hometown of Laval served as the epicenter of their business operations, providing an early environment rich with the traditions and influences of cheesemaking and dairy production.
Rise to Success
Marie Besnier Beauvalot inherited a significant stake in Lactalis in 2000, along with her two brothers, after the death of their father, Michel Besnier. Lactalis, founded in 1933 by her grandfather André Besnier, has grown into a global powerhouse with annual revenues exceeding $30 billion. Lactalis is the world's largest dairy products group. Marie, along with her siblings, inherited full ownership of the privately held company. The family has maintained control, with Emmanuel Besnier as the CEO and controlling shareholder, while Marie and Jean-Michel each hold an estimated 21% stake.
Key Business Strategies
Since inheriting Lactalis, Marie has played an active role in the company's growth and success, contributing to its strategic direction. Lactalis has expanded its global presence through acquisitions and increased its market share. The company operates in numerous countries and produces a wide range of dairy products under brands like Président and Galbani. Lactalis is the world's largest dairy products group, and the second largest food products group in France, behind Danone. The company has a focus on innovation and quality.
Philanthropy
Marie is involved in a number of philanthropic initiatives, notably via the Milk for Good endowment fund, which has supported the La Source association offering art workshops for the Aide Sociale à l'Enfance. She also helped set up France's first integrated pediatric oncology center with the Curie Institute (Paris). Marie supports various charitable organizations and initiatives aimed at promoting health and nutrition.
