Dr. Gilles Martin, Ph.D., is a French engineer, scientist, and the self-made billionaire founder and Executive Chairman of Eurofins Scientific (Euronext: ERF), a major global provider of testing and laboratory services. Born in Paris, France, in 1963, his parents were both chemistry professors at the University of Nantes.

Martin's technical education was rigorous: he attended École Centrale Paris and worked as a research assistant at Syracuse University, where he developed a diagnostic system using magnetic resonance imaging. After obtaining a Master's degree and a Ph.D., he returned to France. His entrepreneurial journey began with a scientific insight: his parents had patented a process for measuring sugar levels in wines.

Dr. Gilles Martin bought the patent from the Scientific Research National Center (CNRS), discovered new applications for it, and launched Eurofins Scientific in 1987. His strategic vision was audacious: expand the company's clientele from wine testing to the entire food industry and, eventually, to pharmaceutical, environmental, and clinical testing, positioning it as a structural pillar of global public health and safety.

Under his leadership, Eurofins executed an aggressive acquisition policy, massively buying out other laboratories globally, reaching over 50,000 employees by 2020. The company quickly grew to export 70 percent of its production. Martin's immense wealth is secured by the colossal, stable, and growing demand for essential scientific testing and laboratory services worldwide. He remains the Executive Chairman, guiding the multi-billion euro empire.