Hubert Sagnières

Hubert Sagnières, born on 10 May 1955 in Vienne, France, is a distinguished business executive with dual French and Canadian nationality. He served as the chairman and CEO of Essilor International from 2012 to 2018, and following the merger of Essilor with Luxottica, he took on the role of executive vice-chairman of EssilorLuxottica while continuing as chairman of Essilor International.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Sagnières is an avid explorer and long-distance traveler, having embarked on over twenty-five polar expeditions in the Arctic. His adventurous spirit has led him to traverse the icy landscapes on skis, often pulling a sledge or accompanied by a team of dogs. His explorations extend to Oceania, where he has engaged with remote tribes in Borneo, Siberut, and Sumatra.

In addition to his explorations, Sagnières is a published author of illustrated historical works through Flammarion. He has developed the editorial concept “Their Images and Their Words,” which combines excerpts from explorers' accounts with original iconography and route maps, providing a unique visual and documentary perspective on exploration. Notably, he donates all his author royalties to humanitarian organizations and initiatives supporting exploration and solidarity.

In 2023, he released a book titled “Daring French Explorations,” focusing on French explorers from seventeen fourteen to eighteen fifty-four, with all royalties directed to Karuna-Shechen, a foundation established by Matthieu Ricard. Following this, in twenty twenty-five, he published “For Glory, not Gold,” a comprehensive work on Arctic expeditions featuring over four hundred illustrations and previously unpublished maps, with proceeds benefiting La Guilde.