The Board of Directors of Thales have elected Jean-Bernard Lévy as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thales. Thales’s two main shareholders, the French State and the Dassault Aviation have welcomed the appointment and will work in agreement with senior management to pursue the continued recovery of the Group and its future development.

Jean-Bernard Lévy has said that he is very proud to be appointed to lead Thales. “I have been aware for many years of the passion and the high-level expertise of the men and women who contribute to the Group’s numerous successes in many countries around the world. In the global marketplace, Thales has all the strengths needed to play a leading role. I know I can count on the energy and commitment of all to meet the challenges ahead and work together to develop our Group.”

Jean-Bernard Lévy is a graduate of the École Polytechnique (1973) and Télécom ParisTech. He began his career in 1979 with France Telecom as an engineer in Angers. In 1982, he became responsible for the management of senior staff and budgets, and was later promoted to deputy head of personnel. In 1986, he acts as advisor to Gérard Longuet, the French Minister for Postal and Telecommunications services.

Jean-Bernard Lévy was General Manager, Communications satellites of Matra Espace and then Matra Marconi Space from 1988 until 1993, when he became Chief of Staff to Gérard Longuet, the Minister for Industry, Postal Services & Telecommunications and Foreign Trade. In 1995, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matra Communication, and in 1998, he joined Oddo et Cie as Chief Executive Officer, then managing partner.

Jean-Bernard Lévy was General Manager, Communications satellites of Matra Espace and then Matra Marconi Space from 1988 until 1993, when he became Chief of Staff to Gérard Longuet, the Minister for Industry, Postal Services & Telecommunications and Foreign Trade. In 1995, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matra Communication, and in 1998, he joined Oddo et Cie as Chief Executive Officer, then managing partner.