Arianespace names new CEO

Satellite launch provider Arianespace has named Stéphane Israël as its new chairman and CEO.

Israël, who will take up his post on Monday, previously held various positions at EADS, Astrium Space Transportation and Astrium Services and was appointed as France’s minister for industrial renewal in May 2012. He replaces Jean-Yves Le Gall, who has been named president of the French space agency, CNES.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the Arianespace board of directors for entrusting me with this position, and allowing me to carry on the excellent work accomplished by Jean-Yves Le Gall over the last 10 years. It is indeed a great honor for me to be chosen to lead a company that is now the global benchmark in space transport,” said Israël.