After his first experiences as president of an NGO and within a Minister cabinet in France, Gilles Vermot Desroches joined Schneider Electric in 1998.  His primary mission was to create and develop the Schneider Electric Foundation.  Three years later, Gilles took over the role of the new global Sustainable Development Department. The department defines and deploys the environmental, ethical and social policies of the company, as well as develops the awareness of Schneider Electric employees and other stakeholders to sustainable development issues.

Gilles has participated in projects such as the ethical guidelines of the company in 2001, the creation of the sustainability performance score card in 2005, and the access to energy programme in 2008. Additionally, he is a member of the ORSE, OSI, and also a member of the management board of the French Energy Agency ADEME. He is also Vice-President of Global Compact France and President of the COP Climate Working Group at the MEDEF.