We are pleased to announce that EFMD President Eric Cornuel has been appointed by decree of French President Emmanuel Macron to the rank of Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Officer in the National Order of Merit).

The distinction is one of the highest national honours in France. According to the French government, the Ordre national du Mérite is the second-highest national order after the Légion d’Honneur, awarded in recognition of distinguished service across fields including science, healthcare, public affairs, and education. Established in 1963 under General Charles de Gaulle, it is intended to recognise sustained contribution to national life and public service. Eric was previously appointed as a Knight of the Légion d’Honneur.

“To be appointed Officer of the Ordre National du Mérite by the French Republic is a profoundly moving recognition, and one that I hope reflects not only my own efforts, but also rewards the EFMD community for its work in strengthening higher education across borders,” said Eric Cornuel, EFMD President. “Our role as educators is to support peace, mutual understanding, and friendship between peoples. The Ordre recognises sustained service in the public interest, a principle that has guided everything I have sought to build in the field of management education. This honour reflects sustained engagement with higher education systems and policy communities across Europe and beyond, particularly in relation to institutional cooperation and academic standards.”

This award follows Eric’s earlier recognition with the Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award in 2025, presented annually to expatriates in Shanghai for contributions to the city’s social, economic, and international development.

Global honorary distinction

The Ordre national du Mérite was established to recognise distinguished civil and military achievements and to complement the Légion d’Honneur. It is designed to acknowledge sustained service, innovation, and commitment to the public good across a broad range of sectors. The order plays a structured role within the French honours system, with progression through ranks reflecting continued merit over time. It recognises contributions from both established and emerging figures, reflecting a broad view of public service and professional achievement.

This appointment as Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite represents formal recognition of Eric’s contribution to European academic cooperation and his longstanding role in strengthening ties between higher education institutions across regions. It also reflects the broader role of EFMD Global in supporting dialogue on management education, institutional quality, and the responsibilities of business schools in society. This distinction places Eric’s work within a wider framework of public service and international academic engagement, recognising both longevity and institutional impact over more than two decades.

Under Eric’s leadership, EFMD has expanded into a global network of more than 990 member institutions across 95 countries, bringing together more than 30,000 management development professionals. During this period, EFMD has strengthened its position as an international reference point for quality in management education through its accreditation and certification systems. It has also developed a broad portfolio of conferences, professional development initiatives, and international projects focused on responsible management, innovation, and sustainable approaches to organisational development.

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