Jean-Claude Pats has a degree from Sciences Po Paris (Economic and Finance Division), and joined Michelin in 1988 as a Technical Sales Engineer. He became Regional Sales Manager in 1990 within France. From 1992 to 1998, he was responsible for sales in Portugal, then the entire Iberian Peninsula. From 1999 to 2001, Jean-Claude Pats was Vice-President for the Passenger Car Replacement market in Japan. He was then named Chief Operating Officer for Japan, a position he held until 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he was Commercial director for the Passenger Cars and Light Truck business in Europe. He then served as Vice-President of Truck Tires in Europe. In 2015, he took responsibility for Passenger Car and Light Truck Replacement in Europe. In 2018, he was named Director of People Development. On March 25, 2019, he is appointed Chief People Officer. He is a member of the Group Executive Committee.