A former student of the Ecole Polytechnique, Claude Bébéar has spent his whole career in the insurance sector, at the Mutuelles Unies which gradually became the AXA Group, world number one in the sector, of which he was president until 2000.
He is currently Honorary Chairman of AXA Group (since April 2008).
In 1986, Claude Bébéar created and still heads 'IMS-Entreprendre pour la Cité', which coordinates the philanthropic efforts of 200 French corporations.
In 2001, he launched the Montaigne Institute, an independent think tank which aims to contribute to public policy issues. In May 2002, he conceived and wrote the preface for a collection of essays, “The courage to reform” (Odile Jacob Editions). In February 2003, along with Philippe Manière, he published “They are killing capitalism” (Plon Editions). In September 2006, again under the auspices of the Montaigne Institute, he coordinated and wrote the preface to “How France comes out on top” ( Plon Editions).
In November 2004, at the request of the Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Claude Bébéar published a report containing 24 propositions regarding successful integration of minorities in France, entitled 'Les Entreprises aux couleurs de la France' (Equal Opportunity and Diversity in business) and is active in ensuring that these propositions are put into practice.