Meeting Blanche Richard, Financial Controller at Vallourec: Making Numbers Speak
At just 29 years old, Blanche Richard illustrates a shift in financial profiles: precise, agile, and globally minded. As Regional Controller for Europe, Africa, and the North Sea at Vallourec, she operates in a demanding industrial environment where analytical rigor combines field awareness, intercultural openness, and the ability to navigate complex environments.
Since joining the Group eight years ago, she has built a career shaped by continuous skill development, diverse assignments, and one decisive lever: mentoring.
Blanche’s career perfectly embodies the values of the “We are Vallourec” diversity, equity and inclusion program. This program values all differences, focusing on three key aspects: gender, culture and generations. It also demonstrates how the Group creates an inclusive environment and offers opportunities for growth, enabling every employee to realize their professional and personal ambitions.
Mentoring as a Driver of Growth and Perspective
Among the most defining experiences in her journey at Vallourec, Blanche immediately mentions her participation in the internal mentoring program. More than a simple HR initiative, it helped her take a step back and better understand her professional aspirations.
“I was paired with a manager from a very technical background, far from finance,” she recalls. “Our conversations were unexpectedly rich. They helped me see my own work from a new angle, better understand the trade-offs in engineering roles, and develop a more cross-functional view of performance.”
Beyond professional enrichment, mentoring also helped her gain confidence, reflect on her collaborative style, and explore new career paths. “In a daily routine often driven by operations and deadlines, having that space for listening and reflection is invaluable. It gave me tools to better position myself within the organization and to express my ideas more clearly.”
It’s a practice she recommends to everyone, junior or senior.
“Mentoring isn’t just for those who feel lost or uncertain. It’s a powerful development tool, especially when approached as a mutual exchange.”
A Role Bridging Finance, Strategy, and Field Operations
In her current role, Blanche oversees financial controlling across a broad scope covering Europe, Africa, and the North Sea. Her day-to-day: building reliable forecasts, analyzing performance gaps, and supporting decision-making. She acts as a true business partner to both local teams and the Group’s central functions.
“What I love about this job is the ability to connect numbers with strategy. It’s not just about reporting data. It’s about analysis, understanding, and anticipation.”
This complexity is heightened by the multicultural nature of her interactions. “Each region has its own challenges, its own rhythm. You need to listen, understand different ways of working, while always keeping the financial thread intact.”
A Career Built Step by Step, Driven by Curiosity
Blanche’s path to industry wasn’t obvious. After a dual degree in management and a Master’s in finance, she started out in banking and the wine & spirits sector. Her move to Vallourec was driven by a dual ambition: to grow within an international group and to immerse herself in a demanding environment.
“I wanted something complex, stimulating, with real diversity in profiles. Industry gave me all that, and more.”
Over the years, she moved through corporate financial consolidation, group internal audit, and now regional controlling. These transitions were made possible by a company culture that encourages mobility and by attentive managers.
“Each step was a building block. I gained complementary skills and a broader view of the job.”
What Makes a Good Financial Controller?
Precision, organization, but also flexibility and empathy: Blanche lists the key skills with clarity.
“Deadlines pile up, priorities shift. You need to structure your work while staying responsive.”
Mastery of tools is essential, from advanced Excel to BI solutions and the Group’s ERP systems, but she emphasizes one point: the ability to make numbers speak.
“Our role is to help teams make informed decisions. That means translating raw data into clear, actionable insights.”
A Woman in Finance, Not a “Female Profile”
Blanche doesn’t define her approach to work through gender. “I’m a professional, first and foremost. What matters are my skills, my commitment, and my ability to collaborate.”
That said, she acknowledges that some barriers, implicit or cultural, still exist. And that self-confidence, boldness, and building a strong network are key for any woman looking to grow in this field.
A Grounded and Balanced Personality
Outside of work, Blanche balances her Champagne roots with a curiosity for global cultures. She practices yoga, go to the gym, is learning bachata, and never misses a chance to visit an exhibition. She also shares a special bond with her twin brother, “a unique kind of duo,” she smiles.
Looking Ahead: No Room for Routine
What’s next? Blanche doesn’t have a fixed plan, but she’s certain of one thing: she wants to keep learning. She’s considering new responsibilities, possibly abroad or in another financial specialty.
“What drives me is avoiding routine. There’s always something new to discover.”
Mentoring proved it: richness comes from the meeting of worlds, financial, technical, cultural. A valuable insight she carries with her for the future.
