Discover the main role of Marion, our Controlling Director, who supports the company’s performance by combining financial rigor and strategic vision. In this interview, she explains the challenges of her job and its impact on day-to-day operations.

You started out as an accountant and, 10 years later, were promoted to Management Control VP. Can you tell us about your career path and the key stages in your progression within the Group?

Yes indeed, my career path within the Group began in September 2014, when I joined the team as an accountant. It was there that I learned the basics of finance at CIS. This period enabled me to understand the organization, to discover the countries and their problems: the whole sector was very new to me.

They were able to support me, give me confidence and pass on a lot of knowledge. Thanks to them, I was able to carry out my first assignment in Russia in September 2015. This experience enabled me to discover a very different financial environment and to understand the accounting specificities of each country. I also learned to work as part of a team, with the head office teams and above all in constant collaboration with the countries.

After my first 3 years, I expressed a desire to move out of the accounting field: I’d been working in accounting for over 10 years and wanted to explore other departments. A management controller position became available at the head office and they invited me to join the team. It was a challenge for me because, although still in finance, management control was a completely new sector.

“My special thanks go to Régis Arnoux and Yannick Morillon, who have believed in me from the outset and given me the opportunity to develop.”

The first few months were very intense, but also incredibly rewarding. I was able to learn an enormous amount about the tools, methodologies and way of working in this department. This was a decisive moment for me, as it enabled me to broaden my field of expertise and begin to approach the issues of performance and financial strategy from a much more global angle.

Within this department, I developed my skills and took on more and more responsibilities: I was lucky enough to be promoted to manager in 2024 and, 1 year later, to Director of the department. The trust placed in me by General Management has been a real driving force in my development. It has enabled me to take initiatives, develop major projects (such as the 5-year BP) and gain visibility within the Group.

What factors contributed to your success, whether personal qualities, training or team support?

I was able to progress within CIS first and foremost because I expressed my desire to move up whenever I felt the need to do so, while waiting for an opportunity to arise. I’ve put a lot of effort into everything I do, both when I was in the accounts department and now at CDG. Right from the start, I was keen to get involved in different projects and to understand the company’s financial processes more generally.

As I mentioned in my career path, Etienne, a collaborator played an important role in my development at CIS, thanks to the training he gave me. He taught me the nuts and bolts of our business and guided me through my first assignments and my first steps at CIS. My manager, Laetitia has also been able to support me throughout these years, passing on her knowledge of the business and, above all, giving me more and more autonomy over my files and projects. These elements helped me to move from a purely technical role to a more strategic and global approach, which is essential in my current position as Management Control VP.

Last but not least, two collaborators Nathalie and Léa’s hard work and commitment have enabled me to rely on a solid, motivated team, which is essential if I’m to meet the challenges I face throughout the year!

What message would you like to send to our teams who aspire to grow professionally within the Group?

The message I’d like to pass on is that you need to remain curious, committed and open to opportunities. In my opinion, career development is also built on perseverance and the ability to work as part of a team. The support of teams and managers is essential for any progress.

There are real opportunities for advancement, and CIS knows how to give people a chance when they have one. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone, as internal promotion is encouraged and valued. There’s always a way forward, as long as you stay determined and keep learning.

There are real opportunities for advancement, and CIS knows how to give people a chance they have one.