# Serge Kampf

> Serge Kampf (1934-2016) was the French founder of Sogeti, the Grenoble IT services business that became Capgemini. A former Bull salesman with degrees in law and economics, he expanded the company through acquisitions, protected its independence and gradually passed leadership to Paul Hermelin. His other enduring commitment was rugby, supporting Grenoble, Biarritz, the French Barbarians and clubs in financial difficulty.

- **Role:** Deceased; founder, former CEO and chairman of Capgemini; honorary chairman and vice-chairman at his death in 2016
- **Organizations:** Capgemini, Sogeti, Compagnie des Machines Bull, Direction générale des Télécommunications, French Barbarians
- **From:** Grenoble, France
- **Nationality:** French
- **Education:** Degrees in law and economics
- **Known for:** Founded the IT services business that became Capgemini., Expanded the group internationally through acquisitions including CAP, Gemini Computer Systems, Bossard and Ernst & Young Consulting., Led a company listed in Paris in 1985 and included in the CAC 40 in 1988.

## Career timeline

- **1960** — Began his professional career at the telecommunications administration in Paris before joining Bull, according to Capgemini’s obituary.
- **1967** — Founded Sogeti on 1 October in a two-room Grenoble apartment with three former Bull colleagues.
- **1973** — Sogeti acquired a stake in CAP.
- **1974** — Acquired Gemini Computer Systems.
- **1975** — The group adopted the CAP Gemini Sogeti name; it had a presence in 21 countries.
- **1985** — CAP Gemini Sogeti listed on the Paris stock exchange.
- **1988** — The group entered the CAC 40.
- **1996** — Accepted an ownership restructuring and committed 300 million francs personally to a capital increase; headquarters moved to Paris.
- **2000** — The group acquired Ernst & Young Consulting.
- **2002** — Paul Hermelin became CEO; Kampf continued as chairman.
- **2012** — Passed the chairmanship to Hermelin and became honorary chairman and vice-chairman.
- **2016** — Died on 15 March, aged 81.

## Achievements

- Founded the IT services business that became Capgemini.
- Expanded the group internationally through acquisitions including CAP, Gemini Computer Systems, Bossard and Ernst & Young Consulting.
- Led a company listed in Paris in 1985 and included in the CAC 40 in 1988.
- Appointed Commander of the Legion of Honour in 2009.
- Contributed €500,000 to help Bourgoin-Jallieu in 2011.
- Served as honorary president of the French Barbarians.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Gotham City reported a tax dispute involving his estate and gifts made during his lifetime; the report says his daughter sought a €30 million refund. This is an attributed report, not a finding of misconduct by Kampf.
- **2026-06** — The European Conference on Thermophysical Properties listed the Serge Kampf Les Fontaines Campus in Gouvieux as its venue for 21-24 June 2026.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/serge-kampf
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21