Hubert Joly

Hubert Joly's Journey

Hubert Joly's journey is a testament to the impact of effective leadership and strategic vision. His educational background laid a solid foundation for his illustrious career. Joly studied at several prestigious institutions, starting with HEC Paris from 1978 to 1981, followed by Sciences Po where he attended from 1981 to 1983 to study Economics. He later participated in several programs at Harvard Business School, including the New CEO Workshop in 2008 and the Board Effectiveness Program in 2019.

Early Career

Joly's career began at McKinsey & Company, where he worked from 1983 to 1996, eventually becoming a partner. He then held leadership positions at EDS, including President of EDS France and Vice President of EDS Europe between 1996 and 1999. He went on to serve as CEO of Vivendi Universal Games and Executive Vice President (EVP) at Vivendi from 1999 to 2004.

Leadership at Carlson and Best Buy

In 2004, Joly joined Carlson, initially as President and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel until 2008, after which he became President and CEO of Carlson Companies until 2012. His leadership abilities shone during his tenure at Best Buy, where he served as President and CEO, later becoming Chairman and CEO from 2012 to 2019. He subsequently took on the role of Executive Chairman, then Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors until 2021.

Current Roles

Hubert Joly is now a Senior Lecturer of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, a role he has held since July 2020. He is also an author, having written the best-selling book "The Heart of Business – Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism."

Accolades and Board Memberships

Throughout his career, Joly has received numerous accolades. Harvard Business Review named him one of the top 100 CEOs globally, and Thinkers50 recognized him as one of the top 50 Management Thinkers in the world. In addition to his professional roles, Joly serves on the boards of Johnson & Johnson and Ralph Lauren Corporation. He is also a member of the International Advisory Board of HEC Paris and a Trustee of the New York Public Library.

Skills and Contributions

With skills in business intelligence, strategic planning, and leadership, Joly has been praised by numerous colleagues for his ability to turn around companies and drive growth with humor, tact, and diplomacy. His extensive experience and contributions to business leadership continue to inspire those in the corporate world and beyond.