Nonexecutive Director for Dealer and Franchise Network Governance
France·Consumer & Retail·Dealer, franchise and distributor networks· Lyon·Posted 25 September 2026
Applications close 4 December 2026
Dealer, franchise and distributor networks
Partner-sourced
Sourced through a partner search firm or the sponsor's own nomination committee, and verified before listing.
The problem this seat exists to solve
A business is expanding through independently owned outlets and needs better board scrutiny of partner economics and network quality. The director will challenge growth assumptions and governance arrangements that can create channel conflict or weaken customer experience.
Expansion and partner economics
You will review partner selection, network coverage and whether expansion improves sustainable market access. You will challenge franchisee or dealer economics, including stock requirements, incentives and support obligations.
Standards and channel conflict
1. Scrutinise the consistency of brand, service and performance standards across the network.
2. Assess management’s approach to partner disputes, underperformance and conflicts with direct sales channels.
3. Review network reporting and the leading indicators of partner distress or customer dissatisfaction.
Board review sequence
- First quarter: establish a board view of network health, concentration and partner profitability indicators.
- Within six months: review the network growth plan and governance of underperforming outlets.
- Within twelve months: assess whether expansion and remediation decisions have improved network quality and resilience.
The perspective required
The role requires senior leadership of dealer, franchise or distribution networks and the ability to apply operating experience through board oversight.
Additional useful experience includes previous nonexecutive work and experience redesigning partner incentives or managing channel transitions.
Nonexecutive remit
This is a nonexecutive appointment. The director contributes through the chair to collective board decisions and oversight; management retains responsibility for execution.
An initial three-year appointment is envisaged, with approximately eighteen to twenty-four days annually for meetings, preparation and committee work. Start date, remuneration, travel and on-site attendance will be agreed for the appointment.
Terms
- Where the board sits
- Lyon, France
- Applications close
- 4 December 2026
- Appointment
- Board appointment
- Engagement
- An initial three-year appointment is envisaged, with approximately eighteen to twenty-four days annually for meetings, preparation and committee work.
- Cross-border
- International candidatures are accepted.
- Time commitment in this market
- Typically 6–10 board meetings a year plus committee cycles and a strategy seminar; audit committees at CAC 40 issuers meet considerably more often.
Before you apply — France
No nationality or residency test applies to a director of a French société anonyme. The constraint on a French board is its composition arithmetic, not your passport.
- Residency test
- None.
- Nationality test
- None.
- Work authorisation
- A non-executive director attending board meetings requires no work authorisation. An executive mandate — directeur général or a directoire seat — held by a non-EU national raises residence-permit questions and should be checked before acceptance.
- Tenure limit once appointed
- Twelve years. Under the AFEP-MEDEF Code a director loses independent status on passing twelve years' service, and the board must state the position each year.
Also open in France
All mandates in this market →Nonexecutive Director for Restructuring and Recovery Oversight
France·Funds & Asset Management
Private equity portfolio companies undergoing recovery
A portfolio company needs independent challenge of an ambitious recovery plan and clearer visibility of execution risk. The director will strengthen board scrutiny of liquidity, management capacity and strategic options while preserving management ownership of the turnaround.
Administrateur indépendant — Audit Committee
France·Industrial Manufacturing
SBF 120-listed industrial group
Two directors reach the AFEP-MEDEF twelve-year independence limit in the same year, and the 40% gender arithmetic under the Copé-Zimmermann law constrains the order in which they can be replaced — an appointment that breaches it is void.
Global ID Exchange
One account. Every market your record travels to.
A free account applies to one mandate a week, in any market — statutory, interim or advisory — and your dashboard reads every brief that opens in the exchanges you follow. Premium removes the weekly cap.