Thierry Desmarest (born 1949) is a French business executive who served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Total S.A., a major international oil and gas company, from 1995 to 2007. He continued as Chairman of the company's board of directors until 2008. During his tenure, Total expanded its global operations, particularly in Africa, Russia, and the Middle East. Desmarest was involved in several strategic acquisitions and played a role in positioning Total as one of the leading energy companies in Europe.
Before becoming CEO, Desmarest held various management positions within the company, which was known as TotalFinaElf during part of his leadership due to mergers with Fina and Elf Aquitaine. He has also served on the boards of other corporations and institutions, including as a member of the board of directors at Sanofi, a multinational pharmaceutical company.
Desmarest received his education at École Polytechnique in Paris, a prestigious French institution. His career has been primarily centered in the energy sector, with a focus on oil and gas exploration, production, and international business strategy.
He has occasionally been cited in media and industry reports regarding energy policy, corporate governance, and geopolitical aspects of the oil industry. Accurate details about his personal life and activities after retirement are limited.
Thierry Desmarest is recognized in business references and corporate histories related to Total and the broader European energy sector.