Benjamin Parrot’s rise to RC Lens director general, the detail-obsessed communicator now in charge | OneFootball

Benjamin Parrot became RC Lens director general in May 2025, the day after his 40th birthday, capping a rapid rise since joining in 2021 after two decades in communications.

According to L'Équipe, basketball dominated his youth. He grew up steeped in Limoges CSP, donating 200 francs in the 1990s when the club needed cash, and later met Frédéric Forte, who entrusted him with communications at 19 after he had started there at 17.

Celsa studies led to a mission at France Télévision. He then wrote directly to Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot to secure a role, spending six years revamping the club’s image before moving to Lens in June 2021.

At Lens he advanced quickly, from communications and marketing lead in 2021-22 to brand and revenue chief from 2022 to 2024, then deputy director general after Arnaud Pouille left in June 2024. He initially passed on the top job amid financial strain, but accepted in May after Pierre Dréossi’s exit.

Owner Joseph Oughourlian credits him with key progress on the Bollaert-Delelis buy-back and an Adidas shirt deal from 2026-27.

Fabrice Harvey and Jean-Louis Leca describe a calm, methodical, detail-obsessed operator who even rejected the historic CEOs’ office as too remote from staff. He values weekly exchanges with Gervais Martel and, a father of three, needed a push onto the pitch after the 2-0 win over Nice that sealed top spot at the break.

Source: L'Équipe