Guy Dejouany

Distinguished Departed Pioneer

Professional background

Guy Dejouany (1920-2011) was a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Corps des Ponts et Chaussées. In 1950 he joined the Compagnie Generale des Eaux (CGE) and became Director in 1961, Deputy Managing Director in 1965, Managing Director in 1972 and CEO in 1976. That year, the CGE Group’s turnover reached 958 million euros, and CGE was viewed as a leading pioneer in all aspects of water and wastewater services and technology.

The 1980s marked the rapid expansion and internationalization of the CGE Group. Guy Dejouany was said to have created “one branch per day” in expanding the CGE Group. In 1984, the CGE stepped into audio-visual becoming Vivendi, then in 1987 into mobile telephony creating SFR. Générale de Santé, also launched in 1987 became the first group of private clinics and hospitals in France. Finally, CGE expanded into construction, becoming Vinci.

When Guy Dejouany retired twenty years later in 1996, the CGE Group’s turnover was approximately 25 billion euros. In 2000, CGE was split into six pieces, one of which was Veolia Environment, which carried on CGE’s historical service offerings in water, wastewater, solid waste, energy and transportation.

Major Contributions to IWA

CGE and its leaders in the water field under Guy, were very prominent members of IWSA during the period prior to and including CGE’s expansion and remained so after his retirement and the formation of Veolia Environment and the creation of IWA.

Guy Dejouany was President of IWSA from 1980 to 1982 and concurrently organized and served as Congress President for one of IWSA’s most celebrated World Water Congresses in 1980.

Guy Dejouany is remembered within IWA’s history for his sustained contributions to IWSA and his great leadership in the water industry in pivotal times.

Authors: Dominque Gatel and Paul D Reiter