Stéphane Layani is Chairman of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SEMMARIS, the company responsible for managing Rungis International Market in France, a leading global wholesale market for fresh food products.

Since taking office at SEMMARIS in 2012, he has led the development and modernization of Rungis International Market, promoting innovation, sustainable food distribution, and the essential role of wholesale markets in ensuring food security and efficient supply chains.

A graduate of the prestigious École Nationale d’Administration (ENA), Stéphane Layani has extensive experience in French public administration and economic policy. Throughout his career, he has held senior positions within the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, worked with the European Commission, and served as Director General of the French National Agency for the Protection of Miners’ Rights.

As Chairman of WUWM, he advocates for the strategic role of wholesale markets in building resilient, sustainable and accessible food systems. He actively promotes international cooperation, knowledge sharing and innovation among wholesale market operators worldwide.