(Telecompaper) French media and telecom group Vivendi has appointed Herve Philippe as CFO, effective 1 January 2014. Previously CFO and COO at Havas, Philippe began his career with Credit National bank in the early 1980s, handling business loans in the Ile-de-France region. After eight years at the Paris stock market regulator COB, he joined Sagem as director of legal and administrative affairs. Philippe was hired by Havas in November 2005 and was appointed CFO in May 2010. The appointment shows the growing influence of shareholder Vincent Bollore at Vivendi, following his appointment as chairman from next year. Bollore owns 37 percent of Havas and was chairman of the French publisher until early this year.