Born in 1946. Nord-Ouest, France. Doctor of medicine (thesis in 1975). Surgeon (1975). Urological surgeon (1977).Deputy mayor of Valenciennes (1989-1995). First deputy mayor of Valenciennes (1995-2001). Mayor of Valenciennes (since 2002). Member of Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional council (1992-2009). Chair of the UMP Group in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais regional council (2004-2009). Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. MEP since 2009.