France 2024-2025
The results of the 2024-2025 Webranking survey provide a detailed look into how France's largest companies are performing in digital corporate communications. This year's evaluation covered 66 companies, with an average score of 43.2 out of 100. Since this is below the Europe 500 average, the results highlight several key areas where improvements are possible.
Key challenges continue to be presenting sufficient information related to investor relations and governance. French companies need to improve transparency to keep up with their European peers.
43.2/100
Average score France, 2024-2025
48.4/100
Average score Europe 500, 2024-2025
Key findings
- Below Europe 500 average: The 66 largest French companies scored an average of 43.2 out of 100, below the Europe 500 average of 48.4, highlighting room for improvement.
- Strength in financial transparency: 67% of companies effectively present fiscal year 2023 highlights, surpassing the European average of 50%.
- Detailed operating environment insights: 85% provide detailed market and industry context, outperforming the Europe 500 average of 73%.
- Strong careers content: 79% highlight employee development opportunities, and 70% showcase career progression pathways, exceeding European benchmarks.
- Governance challenges: French companies score 34% in governance transparency, well below the European average of 56%.
- Investor relations gaps: Only 24% meet stakeholder expectations, with limited disclosures on risk management (27%) and financial risks (9%).
Strengths and best practices
Highlighting financial and operational context
The about us sections of French corporate websites show solid performance, with an average criteria fulfilment of 63%. Although slightly below the Europe 500 average of 66%, this result indicates that many companies recognise the importance of providing clear and comprehensive information about their operations and purpose. The about us section play a key role in presenting a company's identity and building trust with audiences, including investors, employees, and customers.
French companies also perform well in financial transparency, with 67% effectively presenting their fiscal year 2023 financial highlights, compared to the Europe 500 average of 50%. Highlighting financial results provides stakeholders with essential information about a company’s performance, supporting a clearer understanding of their operations and strategic direction.
Alstom offer a clear presentation of their identity and financial highlights. They combine key financial metrics with visually engaging elements. The CEO quote adds a personal touch, humanising and supporting their mission and leadership vision.
In addition, 85% of French companies included insights into their operating environment, outperforming the Europe 500 average of 73%. This information provides valuable context about the external factors influencing a company’s activities, such as market trends or industry conditions. Offering this level of detail can help stakeholders better understand the challenges and opportunities a company faces.
L’Oréal’s Beauty Tech section clearly presents key market trends in their operating environment, including digital transformation and sustainability, while positioning themselves as a leader in beauty tech.
Attracting talent with clear career progression information
Careers-related content remains a relatively strong area for French companies despite the average score (53%) falling short of the European benchmark (60%). Within this area, employee development information is a key strength. 79% of French companies effectively present learning and development opportunities, outperforming the Europe 500 average of 71%. Additionally, 70% of these companies highlight career progression opportunities, significantly surpassing the European benchmark of 48%.
Arkema clearly highlight possible pathways for growth, including internal mobility and personalised development plans. The information is also supported by a quote from their VP of group talent, further strengthening the message.
These findings suggest that many French companies are focusing on strategies to attract and retain talent in a competitive labour market. The emphasis on learning and development reflects a commitment to employee growth, with companies likely showcasing opportunities such as training programmes, mentorship initiatives, and continuous learning resources. At the same time, the strong performance in career progression content points to the communication of clear pathways for advancement, such as internal mobility options, leadership development programmes, or performance-based promotion frameworks.
79%
present learning and development opportunities, France
71%
present learning and development opportunities, Europe 500
70%
Highlight career progression opportunities, France
48%
Highlight career progression opportunities, Europe 500
Challenges and opportunities for improvement
Opportunities for strengthening governance communication
Governance transparency remains a significant challenge for French companies, with an average score of 34%, well below the Europe 500 benchmark of 56%. This gap indicates that governance-related information, a key area of stakeholder interest, is not being sufficiently addressed on corporate websites.
One notable shortcoming is the limited disclosure of board member remuneration. Only 8% of companies disclose their remuneration policies, significantly lagging behind the Europe 500 average of 22%. These gaps in transparency can hinder stakeholder confidence, as clear communication about governance practices is often associated with accountability and trustworthiness.
ArcelorMittal present both comprehensive and transparent presentation of executive and board remuneration. It provides clear details on policies, performance-linked compensation and governance frameworks.
Improving governance-related content, such as detailed disclosures on board remuneration and remuneration policies, presents an opportunity for French companies to align more closely with stakeholder expectations. Enhanced transparency in this area can contribute to greater trust and credibility, particularly with investors and other key audiences who rely on this information to assess a company’s governance practices and risk profile.
34%
average criteria fulfilment governance, France
56%
average criteria fulfilment governance, Europe 500
8%
present a remuneration policy, France
22%
present a remuneration policy, Europe 500
24%
average criteria fulfilment IR, France
35%
average criteria fulfilment IR, Europe 500
27%
present risk management routines, France
44%
present risk management routines, Europe 500
Bridging the investor communication gap
The investor relations sections of French corporate websites reveal significant gaps in meeting stakeholder expectations. Only 24% of companies provide the level of information required, falling short of the Europe 500 average of 35%. This indicates a need for more detailed and transparent communication aimed at investors.
One of the most critical gaps in the investor relations sections of French corporate websites is the limited information on risk management routines, with only 27% of companies addressing this topic compared to 44% across Europe. Closely related is the minimal disclosure of financial risks, which just 9% of French companies provide, significantly below the Europe 500 average of 20%.
These gaps leave important questions unanswered for investors, who depend on comprehensive risk-related disclosures to assess a company’s strategic preparedness and overall resilience.
Sociéte Générale are the best-performing French company in presenting risk management information. They have a thorough explanation of the risk management framework and strategies as well as explanations of various risk categories.
Improving transparency in investor relations can have a significant impact. Enhanced communication about financial risks and risk management practices would not only align with stakeholder expectations but also demonstrate a proactive approach to corporate accountability. Strengthening investor relations content is also an opportunity for French companies to position themselves as reliable and transparent companies in an increasingly competitive market.
Top performers
1. VINCI
75.0/100 points
2. Arkema
61.8/100 points
3. Airbus
63.4/100 points
VINCI keep the first place for the ninth consecutive year. Their main strengths are press, about us and reporting-related information. Worth noting is that VINCI have released a new website since the ranking was made this summer, so the result reflects the previous website.
Arkema keep the second place for the third year in a row. They stand out for their performance in careers content, the about us section, and sustainability communications, demonstrating consistency in meeting stakeholder expectations.
Airbus are new in the French top tree and have climbed from sixth place last year. Their strongest areas are careers, sustainability and financial reporting.
Best climber
Crédit Agricole are this year's best French climber, meaning the company that have improved their score the most since last year. Their score have improved by 14.4 points. Well done!
+14.4
points improvement
Top 10 - France
| Rank | Company | Main country | Sector | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VINCI | France | Construction and Materials | 75.0 |
| 2 | Arkema | France | Chemicals | 61.8 |
| 3 | Airbus | France | Industrial Goods and Services | 60.4 |
| 4 | ArcelorMittal | Luxembourg | Basic Resources | 59.3 |
| 5 | Air Liquide | France | Chemicals | 58.9 |
| 6 | Sartorius Stedim Biotech | France | Health Care | 58.2 |
| 7 | Edenred | France | Industrial Goods and Services | 56.5 |
| 8 | Michelin | France | Automobiles and Parts | 54.8 |
| 9 | BNP Paribas | France | Banks | 53.7 |
| 10 | Capgemini | France | Technology | 52.4 |
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