Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing

Born in 1958, Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing has been Chairman and CEO of Sofema since 2007.

Training

 * Engineering graduate of the École Navale
 * MBA from CPA Toulouse
 * Attended (in a civil capacity) the 58th session (2005) of IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale)

Career
After an initial career as a naval officer and helicopter pilot, Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing entered Turbomeca (Snecma group) based in Pau in 1994 as Sales Manager and, later, Marketing Director. In addition to new equipment, the engine retrofit activity (successive changes of a standard model by return to factory) would later inform his thinking on the future of extending the life of equipment and the new direction of Sofema. From 2000 to 2004 in the UK, Giscard d'Estaing managed three separate companies - Turbomeca UK, and the joint ventures Rolls Royce-Turbomeca and Rolls Royce-Snecma. With these jobs, he was confronted with Franco-British cooperation, strategic negotiations with prestigious boards, maintaining close contact with customers and users.

In 2004, Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing joined Snecma headquarters in France as Deputy Director of International Affairs for European countries and, when the group merged with Sagem, he became Deputy Vice President of International Development of the new entity Safran.

In 2007 Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing succeeded General Bernard Norlain as president of Sofema - then specialized in supplying export support to large French aeronautic and defense groups.

He implemented a profound transformation of the company, which is today focused on the renovation and sale of military and civil equipment to countries with lower purchasing power and a reasoned development policy.

This successful reorientation is based on Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing’s belief that Sofema’s new activity must strengthen French economic presence in these countries through balanced and sustainable partnerships.

Awards & Distinctions

 * Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur au titre du Commerce Extérieur (Knight of the French Legion of Honor – International Trade)
 * Médaille de l’Aéronautique
 * Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society

Other Functions & Mandates

 * President of Cofrexport
 * Administrator of Défense Conseil International
 * Administrator of ISIT
 * Administrator of Association Solidarité Défense
 * Advisor to the board of Club Nouvelles Perceptions of the Centre d’Etude et de Prospective Stratégique (CEPS)
 * Advisor to Commerce Extérieur de la France