Eutelsat has announced the appointment of Jean-François Fallacher as its new CEO, effective June 1. This leadership change comes as the company enters a pivotal phase following its merger with OneWeb, setting the stage for a new chapter aligned with its vision for an IRIS2 future.
The decision, approved at a board meeting on Sunday, follows the suggestion of the Nomination and Governance Committee and is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Eutelsat’s position in an evolving telecom ecosystem.
Incoming CEO Jean-François Fallacher’s portfolio
Jean-François Fallacher, a telecom industry veteran, joins Eutelsat after a distinguished career at Orange, where he most recently served as the executive vice president and CEO of Orange France. Before that, he oversaw Orange’s operations in several nations, including Poland, Spain, and Romania.
Prior to working at Orange, Jean-François Fallacher held a number of positions in R&D, sales, and operations, including Chief Executive Officer of Sofrecom, a consulting firm that specialises in the telecom industry, and Chief Operating Officer of Wanadoo in the Netherlands.
Graduated from the École Polytechnique and École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications in Paris, Jean-François Fallacher is a French national.
Jean-François Fallacher said, “I am excited to be joining Eutelsat at such a pivotal moment in its history. Technology is evolving faster than ever, and in today’s increasingly complex geopolitical context, satellite networks have become a key element in the connectivity landscape. I am convinced Eutelsat has the fundamentals to be a winner in this environment, and I look forward to building on Eva’s foundations and working with its talented teams to ensure we achieve our goals.”
Outgoing CEO Eva Berneke’s achievement at Eutelsat
Eva Berneke, who has led the business since January 2022 and overseen some of its most important strategic and operational accomplishments, is succeeded by Jean-François Fallacher.
These include its 2023 merger and integration with OneWeb to form the only LEO/GEO satellite operator in the world, its inclusion as a key participant in the EU’s proposed IRIS2 multi-orbit constellation, and its innovative disposal of its passive ground segment—the first satellite operator to do so.
Dominique D’Hinnin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Eutelsat, commented: “On behalf of myself, Vice-Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, and the other members of the Board, I warmly thank Eva Berneke for her dynamic and committed leadership through these significant milestones in Eutelsat’s development and for delivering on our telecoms pivot strategy in a period that has seen significantly increased competitive and geopolitical pressure.”
“I am delighted to welcome Jean-François Fallacher as he picks up the baton from Eva. With his proven track record of success and wealth of experience and expertise, I am convinced he is the right leader to take Eutelsat forward and successfully steward the company through the opportunities and challenges which will undoubtedly present themselves in the coming years.”
Eutelsat to report 2024-25 third quarter financial result on May 15
Eutelsat will report its third quarter 2024-25 revenues on May 15, 2025, following market close. Prior to this release, Eutelsat affirms that the quarter’s performance should meet its expectations and reaffirms its goals for FY 2024–25, which include revenues from the four operating verticals that are roughly equal to those of FY 2023–24 and an adjusted EBITDA margin that is marginally lower than that of FY 2023–24.
Forecast based on comparison with the proforma basis for FY 2023–24 as if OneWeb had been merged on July 1st, 2023. The group’s proforma revenues for FY 2023–24 were 1,221 million euros.
The group’s profitability before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation is shown by its adjusted EBITDA. A measure of alternative performance is the adjusted EBITDA margin.
About Eutelsat Group
The Eutelsat Group is a leading company in satellite communications, providing broadcasting and connectivity services globally.
In 2023, the company and OneWeb merged to form the Group, which is now the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator. It has a fleet of 35 geostationary satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation that includes over 600 satellites.
Customers’ needs are met by the Group in four major verticals: video, where it distributes over 6,500 television channels; and the rapidly expanding connectivity markets of government services, mobile connectivity, and fixed connectivity.
The distinctive combination of ground infrastructure and in-orbit assets allows Eutelsat Group to provide integrated solutions to satisfy the demands of clients around the world.
Over 1,500 people are employed by the Eutelsat Group in more than 50 countries, with the company’s headquarters located in Paris.
The Group is dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing connectivity that is secure, robust, and environmentally friendly. The business is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.