As the Agence Économique Régionale de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (AER BFC) celebrated its 7th anniversary on 1 October, Agnès Ramillon has taken over from Martine Abrahamse Pleux to continue implementing the Region’s economic policy.

‘It’s an honour to be taking over the management of the AER BFC from Martine Abrahamse Pleux, who has worked at the head of the Agency since its creation in 2017. Together with all my staff, I intend to lead the deployment of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region’s economic policy, as set out in the Schéma Régional de Développement Économique, d’Innovation et d’Internationalisation (SRDEII).

I am determined to meet the major challenges facing France’s largest industrial region, with its sectors of excellence and its high potential for creating value and jobs. In an economic climate that we know will be difficult in the years ahead, the AER BFC and its teams will have a more decisive role than ever to play in promoting the attractiveness of the Region, supporting businesses and assisting local areas,’ says Agnès Ramillon.

Solid experience in economic development

Agnès Ramillon graduated from the Université de Bourgogne with a postgraduate diploma (DESS) in Business Management and Administration. She began her career in 1986 at Société Générale as Head of the SME/Company market. In 1999, she joined the Burgundy Regional Council, where she spent 10 years as Deputy Director of Economic Innovation. Then, until 2016, she managed the Economic Development, Higher Education, Digital Economy and Employment Mission of the Greater Chalon urban community. She was then appointed Deputy Managing Director of the Établissement Public d’Aménagement de Sénart until December 2024.

Agnès Ramillon’s career over the past 25 years has been built around implementing public policy; her experience has given her in-depth knowledge of how local authorities operate and what they expect of them when it comes to implementing their economic development strategies and working as closely as possible with businesses and local authorities.

The AER BFC, a recognised and effective tool

Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Burgundy-Franche-Comté Region, commented: ‘The AER BFC is a major tool, recognised by all stakeholders for its effectiveness in promoting the economic development of our Region. I wish Agnès Ramillon every success in carrying out this essential mission, and I would like to thank her predecessor, Martine Abrahamse Pleux, who devoted all her energy to building up our Regional Economic Agency.

The proactive policy of the elected representatives – President of the Region and President of the AER BFC – in favour of economic development and attractiveness is reflected in the SRDEII and through the strategic objectives of the AER BFC:

• Supporting the maintenance and development of economic activity and employment in the region’s 8 départements
• Supporting and driving forward innovation and ecological and economic transition
• Supporting local authorities in their economic development policies and their implementation in local areas, according to their needs
• Promote the economic attractiveness of the region

Agnès Ramillon is now the General Manager of a recognised, high-performance tool, supported by a team of professional, competent and committed experts. She is supported in particular by Anne-Gaëlle Arbez, Deputy Managing Director, who continues to coordinate the Economic Development division. In addition, the processes are clear and perfectly structured: since March 2021, AER BFC has been ISO 9001 certified for its ability to regularly provide a service that complies with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements and its commitment to increasing the satisfaction of its customers and partners.

‘After a particularly effective collaboration with Martine Abrahamse Pleux, I am delighted to welcome Agnès Ramillon to the management of the Agency and wish to express my utmost confidence in her for this new challenge. The attractiveness of our region is producing very tangible results: it is bringing talent back to our region, as our new Director is returning to her native region after spending several years in the Île-de-France region,’ shares Jean-Claude Lagrange, Chairman of the AER BFC.