Former Morgan Stanley banker Michael Zaoui , just back from the FT luxury conference in Monaco, joined other French university Sciences Po alumni for a dinner midweek. The French expat alumni still have a strong City presence in spite of the recession. Those yet to board the Eurostar - Goldman Sachs's commodities boss I sabelle Ealet , ex-Lehman banker and the hedge fund refugee now at boutique Ondra Partners' Benoit d'Angelin - were among those gathered at Schlumberger family member Bertrand Coste's Chelsea house to listen to former foreign minister Hubert Védrine give his views on the US under President Obama.

Sciences Po director Richard Descoings , an ally of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, also gave a talk. They were joined by French ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne , Goldman's Charles de Croisset and the headhunter Veni's Stéphane Rambosson .