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Highlights
Eutelsat names Jean-François Fallacher as its incoming Chief Executive Officer, effective early June.
Fallacher previously led major European telecom operations including Orange France, Spain, Romania, and Poland.
He succeeds Eva Berneke, who oversaw the integration of OneWeb and Eutelsat’s alignment with the IRIS2 initiative.
Eutelsat, operating within the telecommunications and satellite services sector, has confirmed a key executive transition as it continues expanding its satellite infrastructure capabilities. Listed on the Euronext Paris and the London Stock Exchange, the company is part of the FTSE 100 index, underlining its position among the top firms in Europe by market capitalisation.
New Chief Executive Appointed
Jean-François Fallacher has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, with his role beginning in early June. The decision was made during a recent board meeting and endorsed by the company’s Nomination and Governance Committee. The move reflects Eutelsat's strategic alignment with the telecommunications ecosystem, especially following its merger with OneWeb.
Professional Background of the Incoming CEO
Fallacher brings extensive leadership experience from the telecom sector. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and CEO of Orange France. Prior to that, he held senior roles across Orange operations in Spain, Romania, and Poland. Earlier in his career, he was the Chief Executive of Sofrecom, a telecom consultancy firm, and held operational and R&D roles at Wanadoo Netherlands. His academic background includes training at Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications in Paris.
Leadership Change Context
The executive transition follows Eva Berneke’s tenure as CEO, during which Eutelsat undertook significant strategic shifts. Notably, under her leadership, the company completed its merger with OneWeb, forming a unique multi-orbit satellite operator that combines geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) assets. Additional initiatives during her tenure included Eutelsat’s inclusion in the European Union’s IRIS2 constellation framework and a pioneering divestment of the company’s passive ground segment assets.
Board Remarks on the Transition
The Chairman of Eutelsat’s Board of Directors acknowledged Eva Berneke's contributions in transforming the organisation through key developments amidst a changing geopolitical and competitive landscape. The board expressed confidence in Fallacher’s ability to continue this trajectory, citing his extensive industry background and strategic leadership capabilities.
FTSE 100 Operator’s Strategic Focus
With this leadership transition, Eutelsat continues to align with a broader strategic focus on global connectivity infrastructure. As part of the FTSE 100 index, the company remains a major presence in the European satellite communications market. The appointment of a telecom-focused CEO signals a sustained emphasis on integrating satellite capacity into next-generation connectivity solutions across Europe and beyond.
