Yvon Simon has been with Technip Energies for 34 years, holding various roles within operations. He is now Head of the Expertise & Solutions department within Technip Energies France. His team oversees and executes technological development programs in close collaboration with the corporate Technology & Innovation division, which is responsible for technological developments across the entire group.
Positioned at the interface between the corporate structure and the operational centers, he manages the early stages of ideation: proposing R&D programs aligned with the group’s technology roadmaps, then ensuring the operational teams deliver these programs. This bridging role requires him to bring together numerous internal stakeholders, each with their own priorities, constraints, and operational tempos.
He explains that geographic distance is no longer a real barrier thanks to the company’s long-standing international culture and modern review processes. The true challenges lie elsewhere: managing priorities, balancing client-driven projects with development programs, and coordinating the execution of all initiatives.
When asked about Technip Energies’ key challenges, Yvon Simon highlights one major issue: strengthening the culture of innovation. The company already has a strong, highly technical technology development hub, complemented by digital innovation initiatives driven by the Digital Acceleration Plan. But for these innovation pillars to operate effectively and be widely adopted, it is essential to nurture a broader innovation mindset within teams — a strategic focus for the future.
This is where Vianeo proves valuable. According to Yvon Simon, the method helps spread this innovation culture through structured, accessible practices that can be integrated into everyday work. The approach formalises the stages of building innovation programs and provides a shared language in an environment traditionally dominated by technical expertise.
He also sees value upstream of project execution: Vianeo offers guiding principles that frame innovation thinking without immediately entering into complex execution processes. This ability to support understanding before action is one of the key elements Technip Energies is exploring today as it designs its future training and innovation-engagement mechanisms.
