Louis-François RICHARD appointed President of the Air Liquide Foundation, supervising Access Oxygen

Effective immediately, Louis-François Richard has been appointed President of the Air Liquide Foundation. In addition, Louis-François will supervise the Group’s “Access Oxygen” activities.

Louis-François Richard brings 30 years of experience, having held several responsibilities within Air Liquide, notably in the healthcare sector, as Vice President of the medical gases activities in Europe, or as General Manager of the Home Healthcare subsidiary Orkyn, in France. Louis-François was also CEO of Air Liquide France Industries, the entity that includes Large Industries, Industrial Merchant and Electronics activities in France. In addition, he held several transversal functions at the corporate level, in particular that of Group Operations Control Vice President.

His wide background and previous experience within the Group, as well as his personal commitment and motivation to address societal challenges, will be equally valuable in this new role.

Founded in 2008, the Air Liquide Foundation acts on major societal issues, leveraging Air Liquide’s expertise and geographic footprint. Over the past 15 years, the Air Liquide Foundation has supported more than 500 projects in 50 countries, focusing on three key areas: fundamental medical and environmental research, professional integration, and solidarity. Through its experience, flexibility and upstream intervention, it complements public action and is a source of pride and engagement for our employees.

In order to address another societal challenge, Air Liquide launched its « Access Oxygen » programme in 2017, with the objective to facilitate access to medical oxygen in low- and middle income countries. Today, this solution has given access to more than two million people in Senegal, South Africa and Kenya.