Pierre Von Essen, 67, is a graduate of the Institut d'études politiques de Paris. He began his career with the Jacques Borel group, where he successively served as Human Resources Director, Marketing Director, and Business Development Director of the corporate catering market before being appointed to head up the Greater Paris Area division in 1990 and subsequently the France division in 1997. Pierre Von Essen accompanied the Group's external growth in France via numerous acquisitions (such as LRP, l’Alsacienne de restauration, Ansamble) and was the driving force behind setting up a system of key accounts, developing fast-food solutions and launching the first franchises in the corporate catering market.
In 2002, Pierre Von Essen was appointed Managing Director – Business & Industry – France, and Vending Machines, at Elior. Between 2010 and 2015 he served on the Group's Executive Committee.