Francoise Gri, president of Manpower France, was presented last night with one of France’s most prestigious honours, for her contributions to business.

The Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur was presented to Gri by former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who is also chairman of the France-Etats Unis and France-Quebec friendship groups of the French National Assembly.

Gri joined Manpower France as president in March 2007 after 26 years at IBM France. In 2008, she was named one of FORTUNE magazine’s 50 most powerful women in international business for the fifth consecutive year.

Manpower chairman and chief executive Jeff Joerres says that Gri’s recognition “underscores her significant accomplishments as president of Manpower’s largest and most influential single business market. We are delighted to see Francoise recognised among so many distinguished French leaders”.