has been recognized by CIO Applications Europe as the recipient of “Top 10 Chief digital Officers in Europe - 2025,” based on a defined selection methodology reflecting their leadership, professional impact, and standing within the industry. This profile has been developed by the CIO Applications Europe research and editorial team based on insights from an interview with , .

Matthieu Heslouin

Navigating the Digital Frontier

Born in 1971, Matthieu Heslouin graduated from ESSEC business school in Paris. Starting in 1997, he worked for ten years in the US computer industry, working for Silicon Graphics (Cray Research) and Dell Computer. He took several sales & marketing positions until he became software sales & alliances director at Dell France. He was recognized six times as the top sales and manager achievers.

From 2008 to 2017, he founded two startups: Wipolo, the first mobile travel mate in Europe acquired by Accorhotels in 2014 and VoulezVousDiner, the first worldwide collaborative platform for social dining. He was also providing consulting services to large companies to implement their digital transformation.

He was appointed Chief Digital Officer of Bpifrance in 2017 to turn the global company into a Fintech. He manages Bpifrance digital business transformation, Bpifrance digital factory, Bpifrance digital channels and Bpifrance VSBs digital business unit.

Could you provide an overview of your role and responsibilities within the company?

As the chief digital officer of Bpifrance, I have four main missions:

-Leading and managing the digital transformation of Bpifrance and its seven business lines: Creation, Innovation, Bank, Warranty, Investment, Export, and Consulting.

-Building and managing Bpifrance Digital Factory (300 people). Bpifrance Digital Factory designs, develops, and runs 14 digital platforms of services.

-Running and operating Bpifrance Flash, the digital bank for VSBs (20.000 loans per year)

-Supporting the global Fintech ecosystem in France: Open innovation, Partnership, Sponsoring,

What are some of the key challenges you face?

Keys challenges are:

-People: hire the best talents to transform Bpifrance into a Fintech in terms of mindset (innovation, velocity, best UX experience)

-Technology: leverage the latest technology and components to build high-quality and cost-effective digital services

-Partners: select and animate the best partners (Tech and Fintech companies)

-Federate Management and Teams inside Bpifrance to drive adoptions and secure budget resources

Digital transformation is a highly demanding mission in terms of energy and vision. You need to combine technological skills and good business understanding to build products and services with great impact.

What would you say are some of the futuristic trends that will have an impact in the next 18-24 months?

For sure, IA and Open Banking are our main drivers in our industry. They will enable us to build more efficient customer journeys and optimize business processes. We are also taking a close look at blockchain and crypto assets as potential disruptors for some parts of the banking industry.

What advice would you give to young professionals who are interested in pursuing a similar career, and what qualities do you think are essential for success in this field?

Leadership is key. I believe I am a good Chief Digital Officer because I have been passionate about technology and business, and I had the opportunity to set up my own digital businesses in the past. Digital transformation is a highly demanding mission in terms of energy and vision. You need to combine technological skills and good business understanding to build products and services with great impact. And you need to build and grow teams in a fast-moving environment.

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