Grégoire de Franqueville is appointed CEO
Boulogne-Billancourt, February 16, 2026 – Effective March 1st, 2026, Grégoire de Franqueville has been appointed CEO of The Future is NEUTRAL, a subsidiary of Renault Group and SUEZ dedicated to the automotive circular economy. With his extensive experience in the automotive industry, Grégoire de Franqueville will be tasked with continuing NEUTRAL’s strategy, which has been approved and supported by its shareholders. He will focus in particular on developing automotive recycling activities in Europe and internationally, serving all industry stakeholders.
Grégoire de Franqueville succeeds Jean-Philippe Bahuaud, who launched NEUTRAL’s pioneering adventure in 2022 and positioned the company as a leading player in the European automotive circular economy, serving all stakeholders. Competitiveness, environment, strategic independence, and innovation have been the driving forces behind his work over the past four years. Effective March 1st, Jean-Philippe Bahuaud will assume new responsibilities within the Renault Group as Program Director for the “B-Low” segment*, a strategic priority in the current automotive landscape. He will also represent the Renault Group on NEUTRAL’s Supervisory Board.
“I am deeply honored to join The Future is NEUTRAL at this pivotal moment for the automotive industry. Today, NEUTRAL has already structured robust solutions to develop the circular economy: dismantling of end-of-life vehicles, recovery of parts and materials, second life and repair, and recycling streams. Our priority, with the dedicated NEUTRAL team, remains to serve the entire automotive industry with increasingly competitive solutions for all stakeholders, in order to strengthen Europe’s strategic independence and our environmental contribution.”
Grégoire de Franqueville
“Building and guiding The Future is NEUTRAL towards achieving its objectives is a real source of pride. The company’s financial performance, unique positioning, and robust strategic plan provide the necessary conditions to embark on the second phase of its transformation. As I take on the role of Program Director for the Clio, R5, Sandero, and other city cars of the Renault Group brands, I will focus on strengthening, in collaboration with the brands, the competitiveness and appeal of these key vehicles at the heart of their markets, which remain essential for the mobility of millions of customers in Europe.”
Jean-Philippe Bahuaud
A graduate of École Centrale de Nantes, Grégoire de Franqueville began his career at Michelin before joining Renault Group. After ten years in engineering management, he led the Qashqai and X-Trail programs at Nissan in Japan. He then held various positions within Renault Group and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, notably in business development and international strategy. Following his leadership of the Horse project, Grégoire de Franqueville took on responsibility for strategy, partnerships, and business development for Renault Group’s Light Commercial Vehicles division before joining NEUTRAL.
* including the R5, Clio, Twingo, and Sandero
Press contact – The Future is NEUTRAL
Isabelle Behar – Communication Director
isabelle.behar@thefutureisneutral.com
+33 6 08 71 63 31
