Our story

The Cercle Magellan was started on 18 June 1998 on the initiative of stakeholders from the HR function who wished to support their organizations’ international growth by professionalizing international mobility management.
From the beginning, the Cercle Magellan was committed to tailoring each of its actions to provide support in lockstep with its members’ needs, involving them in its governance and building an offering of content and services adapted to the development of their concerns.

The Cercle Magellan was therefore quick to set up its steering and development committee, made up of representatives from member companies, and professional committees to represent each area of expertise of its clubs.With the support of these bodies to stay in touch with the reality of its members’ day-to-day, it has regularly offered new initiatives helping them to grow and flourish.

Among its key achievements:

• in 1999, the creation of the first online database of legal information on international mobility, to support the development of the International Mobility Club;
   
• in 2001, the launch of the 1st annual conference for members and of the online country guides;
   
• in 2003, creation of the Magellan Quality Label, certifying the quality of HR service providers’ offerings, based on recommendations from member companies, and the launch of the first country focus days;
   
• in 2004, the setup of a training body, the Institut Magellan, to allow members to acquire the competencies and expertise required to move forward in their careers;
   
• in 2005, the launch of the Conseil Magellan de l’International, a body for dialogue between member companies and the authorities, aiming to promote French companies’ international development and to increase France’s attractiveness from an economic standpoint;
   
• in 2006, the launch of the International Comp & Ben Club, a delegation in Singapore and the Specialized MBA in International HR and Compensation & Benefits Management;
   
• in 2009, the publication of the first international mobility competency framework, followed by a similar publication for the compensation and benefits function;
   
• in 2011, the launch of the International Talent Management Club;
   
• in 2015, the launch of the Specialized MBA in Human Resources Management in International Companies;
   
• in 2016, the setup of the first professional certifications in international mobility and compensation and benefits, and of the first initiatives on support for international mid-tier companies;
   
• in 2021, registration with the RNCP of the International Human Resources Manager qualification awarded by the Institut Magellan;
   
• in 2023, the opening up of MBAs through alternance and the development of VAE.
   

A pioneer in support for the development of specialized professional communities and with an international outlook in its DNA, the Cercle Magellan now brings together around 250 member companies, most committed to their international development (large enterprises, unicorns, mid-tier companies), over 1,500 HR professionals and an active community of official fellows and accredited service providers working with them.

The Cercle Magellan’s training institute offers around 30 certificate courses and 2 specialized MBAs leading to an international human resources manager RNCP qualification, level 7.

Both entities are 100% focused on supporting skills and knowledge development for HR professionals, aiming to help them excel and to make them partners in their organizations’ growth.