Catherine Euvrard: Between Elegance and Playfulness, the Queen of Headhunters Welcomes Us

Catherine Euvrard in front of a wall of angel wings

Catherine Euvrard, undoubtedly the queen of headhunters in France, welcomes us to her elegant office just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe. Founder and President of her own company, she embodies a rare elegance on her towering heels, that of a mother and grandmother both modern and timeless, where vitality and sparkling humor blend. Her lair, rich in books and works of art, is full of stories and wisdom; and she herself is about to write a new page with the imminent release of her sixth book, which promises to be exciting.

But it’s a plastic creature, her mischievous "Béni Oui-Oui," that immediately captures attention. "You’re really a loser," she playfully says to her resin sidekick, who responds undeterred, in an American accent: "Whatever you think, it’s correct." A little scene that wonderfully relaxes the atmosphere for her clients, these CAC 40 presidents who, between two strategic meetings, find here a precious moment of lightness. So, if you’re aiming for the job of your dreams, follow the guide: here, efficiency always goes hand in hand with self-deprecation.

Interview

Pierre-Antoine Tsady: You have worked in several different environments, whether at Kodak, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, or within the magazine Actuel created by Jean-François Bizot. What has marked you the most in these experiences?

Catherine Euvrard: Each company brought me a unique experience. At Kodak, I learned sales; Procter & Gamble instilled in me discipline and rigor in product launches and marketing. But it was at L’Oréal that I truly understood what "the school of life" was. My time at the magazine Actuel was marked by incredible creative freedom, especially with Jean-François Bizot, who had a very avant-garde vision. We experienced completely crazy moments, like that nighttime expedition in the worst parts of Pigalle to impress our advertisers (laughs).

P.-A. T.: What memories do you have of your years at Actuel?

C. E.: Actuel was a period of great inventiveness. It was a free environment where anything was possible. The team was bold and didn’t hesitate to shake up conventions. For example, I remember securing an interview with Arletty, even though everyone told me she was unreachable, or pulling off impostures… These crazy moments will remain etched in my memory.

P.-A. T.: You started modestly in London, during the great era. Tell us about it.

C. E.: London in the 60s was absolute freedom. I worked in a legendary nightclub, Les Enfants Terribles; and I managed the cloakroom in the afternoon. I was young… It was a fascinating time, marked by the rise of music, fashion, and the arts. I met incredible characters there, from Spanish grandees to young British talents and "teddy boys." There was also another legendary club called La Poubelle. These places were melting pots of creativity and improbable encounters. [Les Enfants Terribles and La Poubelle were iconic nightclubs of the 50s and 60s in London, now gone, ed.]

With eyes full of mischief, Catherine Euvrard reveals the secrets of her success as a headhunter, blending wisdom with a touch of madness
With eyes full of mischief, Catherine Euvrard reveals the secrets of her success as a headhunter, blending wisdom with a touch of madness

P.-A. T.: You experienced the Palace years. What memories do you have, and which personalities impressed you the most?

C. E.: The Palace was much more than a nightclub; it was a true theater of the night, a mythical place where the extraordinary met the everyday. I particularly remember Fabrice Emaer, the visionary behind this nocturnal temple. I went there constantly; it was the place to be, the meeting point for free spirits, creatives, and the daring. Among the many figures who marked this place, I remember Grace Jones and Amanda Lear, who helped shape the legend of the Palace from its inauguration. Grace Jones, with her sculptural legs, made an unforgettable entrance by descending from the sky on a trapeze, a breathtaking appearance that alone sums up the spectacular spirit of the place. Amanda Lear, with her magnetic charisma and sense of eccentricity, left an equally indelible mark on those wild nights.

Under the dim lights, the sumptuous decor mixed velvet, gilding, and shimmering mirrors, creating an atmosphere both chic and crazy. The dancers, adorned in bold and extravagant outfits, moved to the enchanting rhythm of a sound cocktail mixing disco, funk, and house. It was the place where creators, artists, and fashion icons crossed paths, each bringing their unique touch to a night filled with glamour, freedom, and extravagance, where anything became possible, even the unpredictable.

There was also Karl Lagerfeld, always elegant, with a keen eye on everything happening around him. It was a time when art, fashion, and music blended seamlessly, and the Palace was its epicenter.

P.-A. T.: As a jazz lover, who do you consider the greatest jazz musicians of all time?

C. E.: Jazz transcends mere music; it’s a profound form that touches the soul. Among its greatest masters: Errol Garner, Kenny Clark, the Blue Note [jazz club, ed.], Maxime Saury (La Huchette), Les 3 Maillets… But also, Miles Davis and John Coltrane dominate. Miles Davis, with his innovative genius, constantly pushed the boundaries of the genre, reinventing jazz at every era, notably with the legendary album Kind of Blue, which became an essential reference. Coltrane, on the other hand, brought intense spirituality to his playing, reaching emotional and technical heights.

I also remember spending wild evenings with Stéphane Grappelly, an extraordinary violinist, at the 3 Maillets.

It’s also impossible to forget Billie Holiday, whose voice conveyed raw and authentic emotion that marked not only music but also social and political history. These artists didn’t just shape jazz: they elevated it to the rank of timeless art, still influencing generations of musicians and listeners worldwide today.

P.-A. T.: What motivated you to launch Catherine Euvrard Consultants in 1990?

C. E.: My dual expertise in Procter-style rigor and Actuel-style madness taught me to love others, not to be afraid to talk to strangers, and to play fair, far from the rigid approaches I observed in many firms. In 1990, armed with this conviction, I founded Catherine Euvrard Consultants with a clear objective: to unearth talents where no one thinks to look, to explore unexpected horizons. My first client, Noël Goutard, then president of Valeo [automotive supplier, ed.], entrusted me with a mission with a phrase that still resonates: “If you’re a failure, there will never be two.” There were more than 200, at Valeo. This challenge marked the beginning of a fruitful and lasting collaboration, built on trust and success, with this group and many others.

Behind a mischievous smile and a playful spirit, Catherine Euvrard, a headhunter with an already established reputation, never lacks humor and creativity in her quest for exceptional talents
Behind a mischievous smile and a playful spirit, Catherine Euvrard, a headhunter with an already established reputation, never lacks humor and creativity in her quest for exceptional talents

P.-A. T.: What are the main difficulties you encounter in finding the "rare gem" in the recruitment world?

C. E.: The difficulty lies in the fact that true talents are not looking; you have to hunt them where they are, sometimes well-positioned and satisfied. LinkedIn and databases alone are not enough. It’s a job of investigation, almost like secret police work, and you need good intuition to find the ideal person for each company. Moreover, succeeding in changing the minds of leaders about the choice of an ideal candidate is a challenge that amuses me.

P.-A. T.: What are your best and worst memories in recruitment?

C. E.: My best memory is undoubtedly my first mission for LVMH, where I managed to recruit a key leader "a bit of an outsider" who succeeded brilliantly in this group. On the other hand, my worst memory is probably a mission where, after recruiting a leader, he didn’t come, having played the dumping and bidding game with another company.

P.-A. T.: You have a look that stands out, daring colors and original accessories; you who collect hats. What advice would you give to those who want to have a unique style?

C. E.: Playing with colors and accessories is for me a true source of pleasure and expression. My advice, as a style enthusiast, is simple: dare to be authentic. Fully embrace your fashion choices and don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path. Style is not just a matter of trend; it’s a way to reflect who you are, deep down. For me, hats are not just an accessory; they are a signature element. The secret is to feel good in what you wear. When you are in harmony with your clothes, it shows on the outside, and this confidence becomes your best asset. My motto: "ridicule has never killed anyone if you own it."

Always faithful to her unique style, Catherine Euvrard proves to us that elegance can be part of everyday life, with that distinctive touch that sets her apart in the world of recruitment
Always faithful to her unique style, Catherine Euvrard proves to us that elegance can be part of everyday life, with that distinctive touch that sets her apart in the world of recruitment

P.-A. T.: How do you see the evolution of your profession in the age of LinkedIn and the omnipresence of digital?

C. E.: LinkedIn and digital have certainly facilitated access to professional information, but I believe it will never replace human contact, intuition, and understanding of a company’s culture. It’s at the heart of our profession. You have to know how to dig into personality, put it in danger, and see how it reacts. Digital is a tool, but not an end in itself. It’s difficult to convince via the internet.

P.-A. T.: You also have a rich family life, with children in various careers. How have you managed to balance your personal and professional life?

C. E.: It’s not always easy, but I’m lucky to have children who are very independent and have followed diverse paths, from finance to filmmaking and digital. I’ve always tried to maintain a good balance between my professional and personal life, even though, like everyone, there have been more challenging moments to manage. But family remains a priority for me.

P.-A. T.: What can we wish you for the future?

C. E.: To keep an excessive optimism that allows me to ride the wave in rough seas, and above all, to have a lot of humor in business.

Books by Catherine Euvrard

Between heaven and earth, Catherine Euvrard spreads her wings of inspiration and elegance, embodying the guardian angel of great careers with an approach that is always bold and inspiring
Between heaven and earth, Catherine Euvrard spreads her wings of inspiration and elegance, embodying the guardian angel of great careers with an approach that is always bold and inspiring

Click on the links below to purchase Catherine Euvrard’s books:

En avoir ou non…, JC Lattès, 2004

On marche sur la tête !, Eyrolles, 2007

Méfiez-vous des femmes !, Eyrolles, 2012

Mon Fouquet’s, Eyrolles, 2015

Faites n’importe quoi, mais faites-le bien !, KIWI, 2021

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