Laurent Dassault graduated from École Supérieure Libre des Sciences Commerciales Appliquées (ESLSCA) de Paris and also holds a business law degree from Paris II-Assas University. After his college education, he trained with the French Air Force. In 1978, he served as an intelligence officer with the Jaguar squadron 3/3 Ardennes at the Nancy-Ochey air base. He became a captain in the reserves in 1986.After 13 years in banking, in 1991 Laurent Dassault joined Dassault Investissements (part of the group founded by his grandfather Marcel Dassault), in charge of indirect compensation related to military aeronautical contracts.Tasked with diversifying the group's investments, he took a particular interest in expanding its holdings in art and vineyards, successfully increasing the group's value. Profoundly forward-looking and business oriented, Laurent Dassault enjoys creating, innovating and building. He is also very involved in many charitable and humanitarian organizations.Laurent Dassault currently sits on the boards of numerous companies, mainly in the industry, finance, arts and philanthropy sectors.He is also the co-manager of Artcurial Développement. As a major art collector, he is extremely involved in the art world on a personal level. Each year, for example, he organizes the Marcel Duchamp prize, in partnership with the Pompidou Center, the Modern Art Museum of Paris and the FIAC, and with the backing of Lazard Frères Gestion. This prize was created to support French artists and help them reach the international stage.In 1994, Laurent Dassault became manager of Château Dassault, a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé. Corporate philanthropy and charitable work occupy an important place in Laurent Dassault's life and work.In late 2013, he joined the Association pour la Mémoire des Enfants Cachés et des Justes, of which he is Treasurer. This association's main aim is to create a historic trail in Chambon-sur-Lignon in France, commemorating the town's role in protecting fugitive Jews during World War 2. Laurent Dassault is personally involved with the project through the design and creation of a Memorial garden.Laurent Dassault became a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in France in 2003 and Officier de l'Ordre de la Couronne in Belgium in 2006. France then named him Officier des Arts et des Lettres in 2008, Chevalier des Palmes Académiques in 2010, Officier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2016 and Officier dans l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole in 2018. Show less «