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FRANCE: OUR FIRST EUROPEAN HUB
Building a proven model in France
SEO Europe began building its presence in France in 2021, building on SEO London’s experience connecting talented young people with leading employers across Europe.
With the support of corporate partners, our work has since developed into a substantial programme delivered in French and English, online and in Paris. Today, we support students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and support women to pursue ambitious career and leadership opportunities through intensive training, mentoring and career access.
We identify high-potential students from underrepresented backgrounds and equip them with the skills, confidence, industry insight and professional networks they need to succeed.
For employers, this creates a stronger and more inclusive early-career talent pipeline.
Our vision is a society where everyone, regardless of background, has equal opportunity to achieve long-term professional and personal success.
Closing the opportunity gap across Europe.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
Our impact in France, 2024–25
458 participants attended at least one SEO Europe event
121 participants completed our intensive programmes
57 universities, engineering schools and business schools represented
94 professional volunteers supported programme delivery50mentor matches
171 participants secured internships and graduate roles in 2024–25
270 internships and graduate roles secured since the launch of our work in France
The success of this work has laid the foundations for SEO France, our first dedicated European hub and the next stage of our growth.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DO WE MAKE?
Our programmes are designed to give participants more than exposure to industry. We help them understand how competitive careers work, prepare effectively and build the confidence to pursue ambitious opportunities.
In 2024-25
98% gained a clearer view of the career paths available to them
97% deepened their understanding of employer firms and competitive industries
96% improved their ability to articulate their strengths
95% strengthened their ability to proactively manage their careers
95% deepened their understanding of how to succeed in a professional setting
“As students, we tend to think that certain things aren’t possible because of our background and our school. But in reality, it may just take meeting the right person to gain access to an opportunity we initially thought was out of reach.”
Ousmane Thienta, Audencia Business School
PARTNER WITH US
Build your future talent pipeline
Europe’s most competitive industries need exceptional talent. Yet traditional recruitment channels can miss high-potential students who lack access to established networks and insider knowledge.
SEO Europe helps employers identify and engage talented candidates earlier, building stronger and more inclusive talent pipelines.
SEO Europe currently works with leading firms across finance and other competitive industries, combining corporate involvement with a dedicated programme team and a long-term approach to talent development.
✅ Reach untapped talent
Connect with ambitious students from underrepresented backgrounds.
✅ Improve hiring quality
Engage candidates before formal recruitment and see their potential in action.
✅ Strengthen candidate preparation
Participants receive technical training, mentoring and employability support before entering the workplace.
✅ Support retention
Better-informed candidates understand the sector, role and workplace expectations before they join.
✅ Engage your people
Employees can mentor, train and inspire future talent while developing their own leadership skills.
✅ Build your brand
Demonstrate a meaningful commitment to widening access and developing future talent.
SEO London CEO, Nathalie Richards
“Si tu es ambitieux, que tu espères trouver une opportunité dans une entreprise élite, élargir ton réseau professionnel ou tout simplement être coaché pour t’aider dans ta réussite, notre programme est fait pour toi ! J’étais à ta place il y a 20 ans, et grâce à un de nos programmes, j’ai pu lancer une carrière dans la finance et le conseil. Je suis maintenant heureuse d’être la PDG de cette superbe organisation, et avec mon équipe, nous serons ravis de pouvoir t’aider à réaliser tes rêves professionnels”
SEO EUROPE
ADVISORY GROUP
KOKOU AGBO-BLOUA
Global Head of Economics, Cross-Asset and Quant Research at
Société Générale CIB
& Chair of SEO Europe Advisory Group
CARINNE WITHEY
Senior Advisor on the Board of Hayfin Capital Management and Chair of Hayfin’s Audit and Risk Committee. Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Royal Bank of Scotland International.
LAURENT CHENAIN
Global Head of Corporate and Leveraged Finance, Member of the Management Committee at Crédit Agricole CIB
ALEJANDRO HINIESTO
Executive Director at CFA Society France
LAURE MORSY
Global Head of Human Resources at BNP Paribas CIB
IMENE BOUMALALA
Managing Director at ICG - France, Southern Europe and Israel
Alexandra Dupont
Chief Executive Officer of RAISE and Co-Head of RAISE Invest
J’ai eu la chance de participer à la session « pre-internship training » de SEO : une séance de formation intense, animée par un ancien professionnel de l’industrie. Cette journée a non seulement renforcé mes capacités techniques, mais a également augmenté ma confiance, j’ai aussi pu acquérir des compétences pour exceller dans mes stages à venir.
En résumé, SEO Europe a été un élément essentiel à mon développement professionnel. Cette organisation m’a fourni des opportunités de réseautages incroyables, des compétences essentielles et bien plus encore.
Thierry Njoh - SEO France Finance Academy attendee
