Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Lawyer and economist by training with graduate and post-graduate studies in Germany (Bonn University), in Canada (McGill University) and France (HEC), trilingual in French, German and English, and a very international and varied career in highly technology-driven companies: After growing more than 20 years into top management functions within the AIRBUS Group and its different branches (Group VP Strategy & Business Development; SVP Post Merger Integration of EADS and Dep. Executive VP Commercial Programs & International Activities), I joined NAVAL Group (former DCNS) for a period of 7 years as Executive VP Strategy, Partnership & Innovation, in charge equally of the Group CTO function. My particular interest always consisted in growing business in the international arena, through cooperation and equally the launch of breakthrough technologies and innovative new product lines. Beginning 2017, I joined KOPTER Group AG as CEO & Member of the Board, with the vision of making this new helicopter industry player one of the top 3 civil helicopter manufacturers within a period of 10 years and preparing it for a major investment round. The achievements of this new company have been recognized through the recent full acquisition of KOPTER Group AG by Leonardo S.P.A. of Italy who intends to enhance its world-wide leader position through the addition of KOPTER's technology portfolio and of the SH09 as one of its future backbone products. In all these years in Top Management positions my focus was and is set on leading, developing and empowering people, building highly performing and motivated teams, who are to be seen as the key asset of the companies I lead. Consecutive to the take-over of Kopter by Leonardo, I have withdrawn from the company. Today I am leveraging on my know-how helping high-tech startups building and growing their business and on projects launched upon my own initiative.
Helping new and established players in the aeronautical and sustainability sectors, Investors and their counsels in areas such as management and operations build-up, organization, certification, financing or international market entry.
Making Kopter a full-fledged helicopter leader (Development, Production and Services) with a world-wide reach. Recovery of ailing Start-up, building of a OEM to international standard, ensuring of financing and technical maturation, market introduction on world-wide level of a new aeronautical civil certified aircraft system.
Member of the Management Board of the Company. Driver of the Innovation and R&D activities. Equally operationally in charge of the armament systems division and the launch of the naval energy business. Scope included International Cooperation, Corporate Strategy and M&A operations for the Group.
Member of the Management Board of the Company. Driver of the Innovation and R&D activities. Equally operationally in charge of the armament systems division and the launch of the naval energy business. Scope included International Cooperation, Corporate Strategy and M&A operations for the Group.
Led part of the Commercial Programs and the international activities as well as defined and drove the helicopter manufacturer’s future, international deployment and product policy. Initiated a number of co-operation programs with European and non-European partners.