Francis Holder

$1.30 B

Ranked #2190 in World

About Francis Holder

Francis Holder, born on July 28, 1940, is a renowned French entrepreneur and the visionary behind Groupe Holder, a conglomerate that includes prestigious brands such as Ladurée and PAUL. Starting his career in 1953 in his parents' pastry shop, Holder took the reins of the family business in Lille by 1958 and founded Groupe Holder in 1962. Under his leadership, the enterprise saw exponential growth, notably through strategic acquisitions like Ladurée in 1993 and the expansion of PAUL into "Paul Villages." Holder, a proponent of traditional baking methods, has instilled a commitment to quality across his businesses. Married to Françoise, his three children—Elisabeth, Maxime, and David—continue his legacy within the family operation. Holder's strategic foresight and dedication to excellence have firmly established Groupe Holder as a cornerstone in the global bakery and confectionery sectors.

Born

January 01, 1941

Age

85 years

Source Of Wealth

Bakeries

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

France

Residence

Lille

Francis Holder was born on July 28, 1940, in Lille, France. His parents, Suzanne Mayot and Julien Holder, owned a pastry shop in the city. Francis began working for his parents in 1953, at the age of 13, after they took over the shop.

Francis Holder: Family

Francis Holder is married to Françoise and has three children: Elisabeth, Maxime, and David. All three of his children work in the family business.

Francis Holder: Career Highlights

In 1958, after his father's death, Francis Holder took over the family bakery in Lille with his mother. In 1962, he founded Groupe Holder, which would go on to become one of the largest bakery and pastry companies in the world.

In 1965, Holder began supplying bread to Nouvelles Galeries in Lille. This was a major turning point for the company, as it allowed Holder to expand his business beyond the local market. In 1970, he purchased a property in La Madeleine and established the first Moulin Bleu bakery plant, marking the company's expansion into the mass retail sector.

Holder continued to expand Moulin Bleu and Paul businesses, acquiring Ladurée in Paris in 1993. He also reestablished the use of traditional wheat in creating a new line of loaves, and expanded Paul into convenience stores in France, creating "Paul Villages."

Francis Holder: Companies

Francis Holder is the founder, Chairman, CEO, and Managing Director of Groupe Holder. The company owns a number of well-known bakery and pastry brands, including Ladurée, PAUL, and Moulin Bleu.

Francis Holder: Major Achievements

Francis Holder is credited with transforming Groupe Holder from a small family business into a global bakery and pastry empire. He is also credited with reestablishing the use of traditional wheat in creating a new line of loaves, and expanding Paul into convenience stores in France, creating "Paul Villages."

Francis Holder: Awards & Achievements

Francis Holder has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the food industry.

In 2008, he was named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Ernst & Young. In 2010, he was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest decoration.

Francis Holder: Personal Life & Legacy

Francis Holder is a private person who rarely gives interviews. He is known for his hard work and dedication to his business. He is also a philanthropist who supports a number of charities.

Francis Holder: Trivia

Francis Holder is a fan of classical music and opera. He also enjoys skiing and sailing.

Wealth History

Timeline

July 28, 1940

Francis Holder is born.

1953

Holder begins working for his parents after they take over a pastry shop.

1958

Holder takes over the family bakery in Lille with his mother after his father's death.

1962

Holder founds Groupe Holder.

1965

Holder starts supplying bread to Nouvelles Galeries in Lille.

1970

Holder expands into the mass retail sector by purchasing a property in La Madeleine and establishing the first Moulin Bleu bakery plant.

1993

Holder acquires Ladurée in Paris.

N/A

Holder reestablishes the use of traditional wheat in creating a new line of loaves.

N/A

Holder expands Paul into convenience stores in France, creating "Paul Villages."

Francis Holder : FAQs

What is Francis Holder's net worth?

As of 2022, Francis Holder's net worth was $1.30 billion.

What are Francis Holder's main sources of wealth?

Francis Holder's main source of income comes from Bakeries.

In which industry does Francis Holder primarily operate?

Francis Holder is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

How old is Francis Holder?

Francis Holder is 85 years old.

How many children does Francis Holder have?

Francis Holder has 3 children.

Who is Francis Holder and what companies does he own?

Francis Holder is a French businessman born on July 28, 1940. He is the founder, Chairman, CEO, and Managing Director of Groupe Holder, and owns prominent companies such as Ladurée and PAUL.

What was Francis Holder's role in his family's bakery business?

Francis Holder began working for his parents' bakery in 1953 and took over the family bakery in Lille with his mother in 1958 after his father's death. He significantly expanded the business, founding Groupe Holder in 1962.

How did Francis Holder contribute to the baking industry?

Francis Holder contributed to the baking industry by expanding Moulin Bleu and Paul businesses, acquiring Ladurée in 1993, reestablishing the use of traditional wheat for baking, and expanding Paul into convenience stores, creating 'Paul Villages'.

What significant milestones did Francis Holder achieve with Groupe Holder?

Significant milestones Francis Holder achieved with Groupe Holder include starting the supply of bread to Nouvelles Galeries in Lille in 1965, opening the first Moulin Bleu bakery plant in 1970, and acquiring Ladurée in 1993, among many other expansions.

Who are Francis Holder's family members involved in the business?

Francis Holder's family members involved in the business include his wife Françoise and their three children: Elisabeth, Maxime, and David, who all work in the family business.