Safran CEO to head Gifas

Photo: Olivier Andriès (Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran)

 ” To remain a leader, we must never lose sight of our ambitions, always anticipate market trends and remain at the cutting edge of technology and operational excellence”. These were the words used by Safran CEO Olivier Andriès to inaugurate his new mandate as Chairman of the Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (Gifas). Elected on 10 July by the trade association’s Board of Directors, he succeeds Guillaume Faury, Executive Chairman of Airbus, who has headed Gifas since July 2021 and whose term of office was due to expire in accordance with the articles of association.

“Under Guillaume Faury’s chairmanship, Gifas has successfully navigated the difficult post-Covid period for the entire aerospace supply chain. I would like to pay tribute to his efforts to preserve our unity and the collective interests of our industry“, said Olivier Andriès, praising the work accomplished by his predecessor over the past four years.

Among the major challenges to be met in his new role, Olivier Andriès mentioned the competitive increase in production, in a context of rearmament and reinforcement of national and European sovereignty, the ramp-up in civil aviation and the attractiveness of the industry for young people.

“We need not only to pass on our passion, but also to show the younger generation, both boys and girls, that aeronautics and space have meaning (…). The aerospace industry needs a positive message about its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, its contribution to the country’s economy, employment, foreign trade and technological progress – and about its irreplaceable role in France’s sovereignty“, he said, France being world-renowned for its leadership in commercial aviation, defence and space.

New members

At its Annual General Meeting, the Gifas Board of Directors also approved a number of new members. Gifas now brings together 519 companies, including 159 ETIs, 233 SMEs and 92 start-ups.

Didier Kayat, Chairman and CEO of the Daher Group, was re-elected as Chairman of the Gifas Aerospace, Defence and Equipment Manufacturers Group (GEADS), which brings together equipment manufacturers and suppliers to prime contractors in the aerospace industry, most of them tier 2 suppliers. Hélène Moreau-Leroy, Chairman and CEO of Hutchinson Aerospace, and François Bastin, Chairman of Safran Landing Systems, were re-elected vice-chairmen of GEADS.

Clémentine Gallet, Chairman of Coriolis Composites, has been re-elected Chairman of the Comité Aéro-PME, which brings together SME partners of prime contractors and equipment manufacturers on all aerospace programmes. She retains her position as treasurer of Gifas, while Alain Dulac, CEO of Factem, is re-elected vice-chairman of the Comité Aéro-PME.

Emmanuel Viellard, CEO of Lisi Aerospace, remains General Commissioner of the Paris Air Show – Le Bourget. Every two years, Gifas organises the Paris-Le Bourget International Air Show, the 56th of which will take place from 14 to 20 June 2027.