Claude Dauphin (businessman)

Claude Dauphin (1951 – September 30, 2015) was a French businessman best known as the founder and chairman of Trafigura, one of the world's largest commodity trading companies.

Dauphin started his career in the commodities industry in the 1970s, working for Marc Rich & Co. He later left to establish his own company, Trafigura, in 1993, along with Eric de Turckheim, Graham Sharp, Antonio Cometti, Daniel Piana and Mark Crandall.

Under Dauphin's leadership, Trafigura grew rapidly, expanding its operations into oil, metals, and other commodities trading. The company established a significant presence in emerging markets and became a major player in the global commodities market.

Dauphin faced scrutiny and controversy during his tenure at Trafigura, notably in connection with the 2006 Ivory Coast toxic waste dumping incident. Trafigura was accused of dumping toxic waste in Abidjan, which resulted in health problems for thousands of residents. Dauphin and Trafigura denied wrongdoing, and the company reached a settlement with the Ivorian government and the victims.

He remained as chairman and CEO until his death in September 2015, at the age of 64. Following his death, Trafigura continued its operations under the direction of its management team. His legacy remains complex, marked by both commercial success and ethical concerns related to the environmental and social impact of Trafigura's activities.