Sophie Cochard, Director of Planning and Development, Environment and Real-Estate Assets
On 13th November, Sophie Cochard joined Nantes ‒ Saint‐Nazaire Port as the Director of Planning and Development, Environment and Real-Estate Assets. This trained lawyer and member of the Paris Bar Association began her professional career as an adviser to companies on Community law, and more specifically on state aid, anti-competitive practices, integrations and litigation.
In 2016, Sophie Cochard took over as the Head of the Pays de la Loire Regional Authority Representative Office in Brussels, monitoring topics such as transportation, energy, cohesion policy, the environment, research and innovation…
In 2019, she became the Deputy Director General of Services with Pays de la Loire Regional Authority. She notably negotiated and drafted the 2021‐2027 Central Government − Regional Government Planning Agreement, and supervised transversal dossiers such as those relating to Nantes ‒ Saint Nazaire Port. In June 2021, she took over as Pays de la Loire Regional Authority Deputy Director General with responsibility for Ecological Transition, Regional Communities and Europe. Her remit included the management of nine departments (ecological transition, regional planning and development, culture, sport and community life, hydrogen, European Union policies, disabilities, the regional plan for sustainable planning and development and territorial equality, maritime ambitions), representing a staff of 250 people in total.
In her capacity as Nantes ‒ Saint‐Nazaire Port’s Director of Planning and Development, Environment and Real-Estate Assets, Sophie Cochard takes charge of driving the strategy for all the Port Authority’s real-estate assets, the planning and development of port areas, the management of natural spaces, actions relating to ecological transition and sustainability, the regulatory compliance of projects and activities (environment and urban planning), relationships with Local and Regional Government, and the real-estate-led value enhancement of the Port Authority Area.
