Franco-German KNDS Appoints New Chairman, MD

Five years after its creation, the French and German governments today announced that the land systems manufacturer KNDS will change its governance on December 15, 2020, by appointing a new managing director and a chairman.

To approach this new stage in the integration of KNDS, to make the company the benchmark European player in land armament, in particular within the framework of the MGCS program (the future heavy tank to eventually replace the Leopard and Leclerc), the two shareholders have appointed the future directors of KNDS, a French MoD release said.

While the shareholding remains strictly equal, it is planned that the positions of managing director and chairman of the board of directors will be occupied by a German and a Frenchman, with an alternation of nationality at each change of managing director. France also retains its specific share in the capital of Nexter, the group's French subsidiary, ensuring the protection of the most sensitive assets for the country's sovereignty.

Philippe Petitcolin, current CEO of Safran, will be appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of KNDS from March 21. Frank Haun, currently Co-Managing Director since 2015, will be appointed Managing Director ( CEO ) of KNDS.

A new CEO of Nexter, of French nationality, will be announced in the next few weeks, and will succeed. Stéphane Mayer. He will also assume the functions of Director of Operations of KNDS.

The new governance was designed to ensure the preservation of the Franco-German balance over time.