New Halde boss starts work today

Former muscular dystrophy charity head Eric Molinié is to lead the anti-discrimination authority

TOP anti-discrimination body La Halde has a new president, former charity boss Eric Molinié.

Mr Molinié was vice-president of La Halde and is a former president of the muscular dystrophy charity AFM, the beneficiary of the annual Téléthon.

He is also assistant head of sustainable development at EDF, adviser to the managing director of EDF on disability issues and plays a leading role in several disability bodies.

He will chair his first meeting as Halde president today.

Mr Molinié takes over from Jeannette Bougrab, who was only in the role since the spring, but has been made minister for youth and charity work.

Mrs Bougrab had been outspoken against plans which are expected to see La Halde merge with several other bodies to form a new authority headed by a figure called the Défenseur des Droits (Rights Defender). Mr Molinié has also said he will press for a body dealing specifically with discrimination to remain under the general umbrella of the new authority.

La Halde, which has been active since 2005, has gained widespread public recognition as the official body to appeal to if you believe you have been discriminated against because of race, age, sex etc.

Photo:EDF / Cédric Martigny