On February 2, Patrick Drahi is not alone in the face of the Senate commission of inquiry into media concentration. Sitting in the left wing of the courtroom, three “Drahi boys”, as the businessman’s followers are nicknamed, stare at the president and owner of Altice, the operator’s parent company. SFR telecoms and RMC and BFM-TV channels. Arthur Dreyfuss, Altice’s media boss, the activities of interest to senators, is obviously there. Grégory Rabuel, CEO of Altice France at the time – he will be dismissed in August – is also present.
The third companion is the most Drahi of the three “boys”: it is David, one of Patrick’s two sons. The compulsory wearing of the mask in this fifth wave of Covid-19 and its position in the room make it almost invisible. However, his presence at this hearing sheds light on his new stature in a group where he is called upon to take over from his father. A few weeks later, in March, he will also be appointed co-CEO of Altice Europe, in charge of technologies and development.
His appointment was made discreetly, in the midst of a series of other promotions, as if this assumption of duty should not be given more importance than another. The moment is however well chosen, twenty years after the acquisition by Patrick Drahi and his faithful right arm, Armando Pereira, of a first cable operator in Alsace, on which they will build Altice. “Twenty years is a generation: now is the time to begin the transition to the next generation”explains the founder of Altice in an e-mail reserved for his employees, while other leaders would have liked to stage their subsidiary succession, photos and interview in support.
“A lot of personal commitment”
The Drahi family, on the other hand, flees the media exposure. David Drahi, who declined to answer our questions, would have preferred The world not interested in him. But now, with his new functions, the young leader of 27 years must come out of the shadow of his father. For several months now, he has been showing up more often at the headquarters of Altice, in the 15e district of Paris. A historical framework of the company “frequently crosses at 7e floor, that of the presidency”. David Drahi conducts meetings with executives and negotiates contracts. Patrick Drahi does not hesitate to entrust his son with strategic missions.
Patrick Drahi has never hidden his desire to pass on his empire to his four children. They are programmed for that, each on its territory
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