Passionate about the business world for over 40 years, he has built his career between his SME and the public scene.
Hervé Novelli holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Paris-Dauphine.
In 1977, he began his professional career as a project manager for the French Steel Industry Association before taking over the management of Janton, an SME specialising in the paramedical sector, in 1983.
In 1986, Hervé Novelli was appointed head of the cabinet of the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Alain Madelin.
In parallel to his professional life, he began a political career in 1989 as a municipal councillor for the town of Richelieu, then as a deputy for Indre-et-Loire from 1993 to 1997 and from 2002 to 2012. In 1999, he was elected to the European Parliament and held several local mandates (Vice-President of the Indre-et-Loire General Council from 1997-2001 / Regional Councillor for the Centre Region (2004-2007 / 2010-2015). He was Mayor of Richelieu from 2008 to 2020.
In 2007, he was appointed Secretary of State for Business and Foreign Trade, then Secretary of State for Trade, Craft Industry, SMEs, Tourism, Services and Consumer Affairs. He was at the origin of the French sole trader (autoentrepreneur) status, and the status of individual limited liability company (EIRL).
Since 2013, he has chaired the Institut Gustave Courbet. Director of Ponant (since 2013), Balt (since 2015), Senior Adviser of Bridgepoint (since 2015).
Since 2017, he chairs the Conseil supérieur de l’Oenotourisme, which he created in 2008.
Since 2018, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Fondation Mérimée pour les Monuments historiques.
Since 2019, he has been President of the Association of Independent Professionals (API).
Since 2020, he is vice-president of Arrowman Executive Search.