Valerie Berthereaux CEO Eurexo

One such example is Valerie Berthereaux, CEO of Eurexo, a company dedicated to supporting insurance firms and mutuals during crises. Berthereaux’s rise to the top in an industry traditionally dominated by men is a testament to the perseverance and strength of women defying conventional norms. With her clear strategic vision and team-oriented leadership approach, Berthereaux has not only broken glass ceilings but has also championed diversity and inclusion within her organization.

Overcoming Adversity

Valerie's journey began with a life-altering experience: as a child, she battled a fatal illness that almost claimed her life, teaching her the value of perseverance. Raised in a middle-class family, her father worked for French Telecom for 45 years. Despite his potential, he was compelled to start working at 18, forgoing further schooling. Her mother, who dropped out at 14, worked as a nurse until the age of 67.

From an early age, Valerie set her sights on academic success, determined to carve out her own path, free from depending on a partner. She was also passionate about sports, particularly volleyball, which she had played for 12 years. The sport taught her the value of teamwork and striving for continuous success.

Valerie’s academic achievements were impressive, ultimately earning her a degree from EM Lyon, one of France’s top business schools. This education provided her with a broad understanding of business operations and honed her collaborative mindset—skills she would later apply to leadership roles.

A Legacy of Leadership and Change

Valerie’s career began in 1993 at Accenture, where she spent 16 years working across France and Spain, leading transformation projects for banks and insurance companies. As the first female partner in France's Financial Services division, she built a reputation for delivering impactful results, particularly in the area of claims transformation.

In 2009, Valerie moved to Generali, an insurance company, where she became the first-ever claims transformation officer. Just three years later, she was promoted to the role of Audit Head for Generali France and Europ Assistance Worldwide. In 2016, Valerie transitioned to the CEO role at Eurexo, a property loss-adjuster network, returning to her focus on claims transformation.

“When I joined Eurexo, the company was facing significant challenges—lost clients, poor service, low morale, and financial loss,” Berthereaux shared. Yet under her leadership, the company underwent a remarkable turnaround, with revenue growing by 40% within just five years, making it one of the most profitable players in the industry. "In 2020, when a private equity firm acquired Eurexo, my major accomplishments included restoring pride within the company and ensuring a smooth transition for the founder while maintaining our core values of client and employee focus," she added.

Leading with Purpose

As CEO, Valerie is deeply involved in the strategic direction of Eurexo. She crafts the company’s vision and shares it transparently with teams and clients. Despite her high-ranking role, Valerie is hands-on, dedicating equal portions of her time to commercial meetings, operations, innovation, and finance, with a continued focus on human resources and shareholder reporting.

Valerie and her management team prioritize staying close to employees, conducting annual surveys to ensure that the relationship with leadership is considered a key differentiator for the company. They actively engage their workforce in transformation initiatives, ensuring that every employee feels included in the company’s evolution.

Berthereaux is adamant about the importance of transparency and respect in client relationships, irrespective of the client’s size. Together with her leadership team, she emphasizes teamwork, solidarity, and excellence in all operations. The company’s unified “warrior” mindset ensures a shared focus on achieving their objectives, underscoring the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and humor to foster continual improvement.

A Personal Reflection

Outside of work, Valerie finds strength in her personal life. She values the unwavering support of her family and friends, and her two children bring her great pride. Her close-knit friendships, some lasting over 30 years, provide both joy and comfort through life’s ups and downs. Valerie also maintains a healthy work-life balance, enjoying biking, running, and tennis, without the pressure of competition, to sustain both her physical and mental well-being.

Her passion for disability advocacy is deeply personal, shaped by the experiences of those closest to her. This empathy fuels her commitment to organizations like ESS, ESAT, Café Joyeux, and Tremplin, which are making meaningful strides in this space. By collaborating with these organizations, Valerie works toward creating a more inclusive world for all.