Eight Bells: Bruno Bich

Bruno Bich, 74, died on May 30, 2021. Son of Marcel Bich, founder of BIC, Bruno devoted́ his entire professional life to the company and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 2006, and Chairman of the Board of Directors until 2018.

Bruno attended New York University Business School, then worked at a stock brokerage and investment‐banking firm before joining BIC. He worked his way up through the organization and developed BIC’s North American business before leading the Group in 1993. A well-respected global business leader, he epitomized the very essence of the values established by his father.

A Board member of several global companies, in line with his values, he was also a member of the Board of the American Hospital of Paris Foundation and the French Institute-Alliance Française. In 2006, he was decorated Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

Bruno was deeply committed to youth and believed in the value of education. He was a trustee of several schools and educational institutions, such as the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut, and served as a member of the International Advisory Board of EDHEC and the Harlem Academy Board of Trustees. An art lover, he initiated the BIC Collection of contemporary art.

Alongside his father, the Bich family made a significant commitment to winning the America’s Cup. Their 1970 challenge was the first from outside the English-speaking world, to which Bruno said, “The only man who knows how much it’s costing is my father. And if he told how much it was, my mother would probably shoot him.”

The Bichs pioneered the concept of multiple challenges which had their participation in 1970, 1974, 1977, and 1980. While never selected as Challenger, their effort altered and strengthened the America’s Cup for all time.