Martin Sion appointed Chief Executive Officer of Alstom from 1 April 2026

 French rail manufacturer Alstom has officially announced the appointment of Martin Sion as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2026. The current CEO of ArianeGroup will take over from Henri Poupart-Lafarge, who announced last May his decision not to seek a new term after ten years at the helm of the group.

“We believe that Mr Martin Sion has the necessary experience to lead Alstom. We look forward to welcoming him in April 2026. Until then, Mr Henri Poupart-Lafarge will continue to perform his duties, ensuring a smooth transition,” said Philippe Petitcolin, Chairman of Alstom’s Board of Directors.

From rockets to trains

Aged 54 and a graduate of École Centrale de Paris, Martin Sion has over thirty years’ experience in the space and aeronautics sectors. He began his career in 1990 at Société Européenne de Propulsion (SEP), where he held various engineering positions, notably after a stint at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States.

In 2005, he took over as technical director of the space engines division at Snecma (now Safran Aircraft Engines). He held several positions there, including director of progress initiatives and then director of the ‘Cladding and Equipment’ industrial centre of excellence. From 2010 to 2013, he headed the company’s space engines division.

His career then moved towards management positions. In 2013, he became CEO of Aircelle (Safran Nacelles), then Chairman of Safran Electronics & Defence in 2015. In 2020, he joined the Board of Directors of ArianeGroup before becoming its Executive Chairman in April 2023. In this role, he has overseen major projects such as the development of the Ariane 6 rocket and support for French defence in a crisis context.

Martin Sion’s appointment marks a new chapter for Alstom. His experience at the crossroads of the aerospace and space industries is seen as an asset in meeting the challenges of innovation, competitiveness and sustainability in the years to come.

Change in leadership

With Henri Poupart-Lafarge’s planned departure, a decade of leadership is coming to an end, but the strategy of international growth will continue.

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, a graduate of École Polytechnique, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has spent much of his career at Alstom.

He joined the group in 1998 as head of investor relations and management control, rising through the ranks to become group chief financial officer (2004-2010), chairman of Alstom Grid (2010-2011) and then chairman of the Transport sector (2011-2016).

Appointed Chief Executive Officer in February 2016, he led Alstom through a decade marked by the globalisation of its activities, the acquisition of Bombardier Transport, and challenges related to energy transition and sustainable mobility.

 

 

Photos : ArianeGroup / Alstom