Anne VIGOUROUX (MBS 1998): A successful international career without losing your identity

Anne Vigouroux is a woman of many hats: international marketing director, mentor to women entrepreneurs, digital marketing teacher... and hypnotherapist.

A graduate of MBS, she now lives in London and works for Charles Taylor, a major insurance group. Through her journey, she shares a strong message: you can succeed at a high level while remaining true to yourself.

Between personal challenge, love and career strategy

Originally, Anne had no intention of living abroad. It was a combination of personal pride, romance and opportunity that prompted her to move to London. During her MBA, she fell in love, discovered a dynamic city, an open job market and a life full of possibilities. She decided to stay.

She first joined Barclays in a program for young graduates. This first position, in a sales team, gave her a better understanding of the field. Anne quickly realized that to do good marketing, you also need to know how to talk to customers, understand their needs, and work hand in hand with the sales teams.

"I've always wanted to move forward, but by taking the time to do things right."

Building a career while remaining curious

Anne had never imagined herself working in finance. Like many young marketing graduates, she dreamed of working for brands like Coca-Cola or L'Oréal. A friend suggested the idea: "Why not go into banking? Finally, she took the plunge and discovered a real passion for the sector.

At J.P. Morgan, she spent eight years managing marketing projects throughout Europe, the Middle East and as far afield as Asia. She discovered very different cultures, learning to adapt, to listen and to decode the ways of communicating in each country. For her, these years were a real springboard. She then chose to join AXA to develop her skills in digital marketing and data, but also to be closer to France.

Today, she is Global Head of Marketing at Charles Taylor, a company present in many countries. But she also continues to teach at MBS, coach female entrepreneurs and develop her personal projects. What's dearest to her heart: passing on, sharing and helping others to progress.

Being a woman in finance

Working in a sector that is still very male-dominated hasn't always been easy. Anne has experienced some difficult situations, such as the manager who wanted to fire her when she announced her pregnancy. But she also points to the people (men and women alike) who helped her to move forward, who trusted her and supported her.

For her, the real issue is not to pit men and women against each other, but to talk about respect, skills and cooperation. She encourages women not to censor themselves, to dare to apply for ambitious positions, and to believe in themselves. She also shares a strong piece of advice: don't go part-time out of guilt. It's better to organize yourself to be 100% at work, and then enjoy your personal life to the full.

"Don't let anyone make you believe that you have to choose between your professional life and your personal life. You can succeed in both, in your own way."

The keys to an international career

"Be proud of who you are. It's not about what you look like, it's about what you bring to the table."

Today, Anne believes in more human, more open leadership. She admires women like Angela Merkel and Jacinda Ardern, who have shown that you can lead with intelligence, strength and sensitivity. She believes that the qualities often referred to as "feminine" - listening, empathy, diplomacy - are real assets in business.

But she also reminds us that anyone can have them, man or woman. What counts is being consistent, doing your job well, and not being afraid to put yourself forward. Her advice: work seriously on your files, maintain a professional attitude, and dare to take your place.

What inspires him every day

Today, Anne believes in more human, more open leadership. She admires women like Angela Merkel and Jacinda Ardern, who have shown that you can lead with intelligence, strength and sensitivity. She believes that the qualities often referred to as "feminine" (listening, empathy, diplomacy) are real assets in business.

But she also reminds us that anyone can have them, man or woman. What counts is being consistent, doing your job well, and not being afraid to put yourself forward. Her advice: work seriously on your files, keep a professional attitude, and dare to take your place.

What we take away from this meeting with Anne, beyond her impressive career path, is her profoundly humanist philosophy. She claims neither radical feminism nor a neutral stance. She claims authenticity. The right to be multiple, complex and fluid. At once ambitious and sensitive, rigorous and creative, rational and spiritual.

Her role model? Her grandmother, "Margaret Thatcher in a floral dress", and her father, a demanding father figure who unwittingly made her strong.

Strong'Her Webinar

Don’t miss the chance to hear the inspiring story of Anne Vigouroux during StrongHer, a special webinar hosted by the International Club. Scheduled for the end of 2025, StrongHer highlights the exceptional journeys of expatriate women from around the world who have overcome personal and professional challenges to build impactful lives and careers abroad. Through her testimony, Anne will share her unique perspective, key lessons learned, and the milestones that shaped her international success. This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in global mobility, women’s leadership, and the power of resilience beyond borders.

"Be proud of who you are. It's not about what you look like, it's about what you bring to the table."