Joël SECHE

About Joël SECHE

Joël Séché is the founder and long-standing leader of Séché Environnement, a French reference group in waste treatment and recovery, remediation and environmental services. Born into a family of entrepreneurs in the Mayenne region, he launched his first business at a young age after starting out in transport, then took over the family public works company in 1985. From that point on, he led a decisive strategic shift toward environmental services, building a business focused on waste management, first household waste and later industrial waste. His career therefore reflects the transformation of a regional SME into a listed industrial group with a national footprint and, later, an international one. According to the company’s 2023 Universal Registration Document, he is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Séché Environnement SA, after handing over chief executive responsibilities to his son Maxime Séché on 10 December 2019. He also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 9 December 2019. His main contribution lies in an early understanding of environmental challenges and a long-term entrepreneurial vision. He shaped the group around environmental integration, operational innovation and attention to the human dimension. Séché Environnement highlights that he was the first player in its sector worldwide to obtain ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, underscoring his pioneering position in sustainability-oriented governance. He also led the company’s listing on the Paris stock exchange in 1997 to support growth financing, and later oversaw the group’s international expansion from the late 2010s onward. Today, Joël Séché continues to contribute deep knowledge of the group’s businesses, strategy and development. He remains a key shareholder and supervisory figure within the family governance structure. His public profile is also marked by national distinctions, including Officer of the Legion of Honour and Officer of the National Order of Merit.