Interview “Inside Out”: Céline Delannoy, Head of Operating Expenses & Municipal Councilor

In this new edition of “Inside Out”, we are pleased to welcome Céline Delannoy, Head of Operating Expenses. Céline joined BNP Paribas Personal Finance in 2001, initially working in the IT department (DSI) before joining the Finance department.

After 22 years at PF in France, where she held various positions, Céline joined Adeline Le Coquil’s Corporate Finance team in June 2023 as Head of Operating Expenses. Today, she shares her insights on her role and her personal commitments.

Hello Céline, what is your “Unexpected Job”?

I would say that I am a “Great Treasurer”. I ensure that every euro spent has real meaning and a true purpose. Like a master of budgetary wisdom, I analyze, question, and illuminate decisions to prevent financial drift. My role also involves managing imposed budget cuts and allocating resources wisely to maintain balance. I juggle anticipation, control, and optimization, always with one goal in mind: ensuring that every euro spent is a well-invested euro!

If I had to sum up my job in three words, they would be: Engage, Analyze, Support.

I engage and I lead a vast network of stakeholders to collect and consolidate the necessary financial data. With an intense pace marked by monthly closings and budget forecasts, my role requires constant communication and rigorous organization. The goal is to ensure that we have the information needed to achieve our objectives within set deadlines.
I analyze and I decipher financial data (€2.8 billion in operating expenses, 15,000 FTEs) to produce strategic analyses from multiple perspectives. Once the data is consolidated, I identify discrepancies, explain them, and rationalize them to create a meaningful narrative that highlights trends and key challenges.
I support and provide guidance to local teams and top management to optimize resources and find solutions. This support is crucial for securing budgets, anticipating risks, and ensuring efficient and responsible cost management.

What excites me about this job is that it provides a 230° view of the business, plays a key role in structuring and evolving PF, and keeps me at the heart of discussions and decision-making.

🦸‍♂️What’s your “little something extra”?

Since 2020, I have been a municipal councilor, a commitment that is particularly close to my heart. It all started with founding an association to advocate for causes such as the future of nearby wastelands and improving school facilities. In 2019, I took part in the municipal election campaign and was elected in 2020.

That moment was both powerful and symbolic for me. Through this commitment, I have been able to accomplish several projects, including the renovation of a daycare center and a school. For me, it is essential to take action for children’s well-being and provide them with an environment that fosters their growth. This vision shapes my approach to my city and my role as an elected official.

I believe that my work and my civic engagement go hand in hand. I see myself as a guardian of the “useful euro”, ensuring that financial resources are wisely spent, particularly when it comes to children. I am deeply committed to securing a more sustainable and responsible future for the next generations.

😃 Because life is not just about work, what are your “3 Blissful Moments a Day”?

1 – Hosting friends and cooking: I love spending time in the kitchen with my loved ones. It’s a warm, convivial moment that allows me to unwind.

2 – Enjoying a hot chocolate on remote workdays: this is my little break. For 15 minutes, I take time for myself, away from daily concerns.

3 – Shopping with my 16-year-old daughter: it’s a special mother-daughter moment. We talk, we laugh, it’s our little ritual.

✨ The mascot has a magic wand, what are your 3 wishes for BNP Paribas Personal Finance?

1 – Easy adaptability: in a constantly evolving world, flexibility and the ability to respond to new situations are essential.

2 – Employees always ready to drive change: innovation and continuous improvement are key to growing together and enhancing our ways of working.

3 – A strong and responsible ambition: I hope BNP Paribas Personal Finance continues to grow with an ethical vision, respectful of the environment and mindful of its social impact.