MRO company Sabena technics Group has announced that from January 1, 2025, Hervé Grandjean will be its chief executive, succeeding Philippe Rochet who has led the group since 2019.

The company says this change in leadership comes at a time of strong growth for Sabena technics Group, mainly supported by investment funds Sagard, Towerbrook and BPI France.

During his 18 years within the group, Rochet has made an outstanding contribution to its growth, enabling Sabena technics to double its business volume and acquire an international position in the civil and defence market.

Grandjean will bring operational and strategic expertise to pursue Sabena technics’ development project and strengthen its role as a leading aeronautical services provider.

In a statement, the Sabena technics shareholders said: “We would like to thank Philippe for his exceptional contribution to the group’s growth, and for rallying the teams around the project of transitioning from a family business to an international group. When we joined forces with him and the Marchais family in 2019, we couldn’t have imagined that we would double the size of the group so quickly and position Sabena technics as the French leader in aircraft and helicopter maintenance.

“We’re relying on Hervé to continue this strong development, in particular by further internationalising the group through organic and external growth in the coming years.”

Rochet said: “Our customers’ trust, our shared determination to offer solutions with responsiveness, know-how and professionalism, and our simple, sincere and respectful human values characterise Sabena technics, and have enabled our development. I’m delighted and honoured to have contributed to this page in the group’s history.”

Grandjean said: “Both civil and military aeronautics are booming, and Sabena technics will continue to support them. I am proud and honoured of the responsibilities entrusted to me in this context, at the head of a group that has changed scale and is present on several continents. I am fully committed to the success of the group.

READ MORE NEWS: Virgin Atlantic awards A330neo maintenance contract to Sabena technics