Rodolphe Belmer, future CEO of Eutelsat. Photo Rémy Cortin

[Via Satellite 10-19-2015] Eutelsat CEO Michel de Rosen has informed the company’s board of directors of his intent to step down from his current role as of March 2016. Following this transition, he will remain in the role of non-executive chairman of the board of directors until the end of his current mandate in November 2016, at which point his mandate will be submitted to the annual shareholders’ meeting for renewal.

Eutelsat’s board of directors has elected Rodolphe Belmer, former CEO of Canal+ Group, as the successor to de Rosen in the role of CEO, effective from March 1, 2016. Belmer is joining Eutelsat on Dec. 1, 2015 as deputy CEO, alongside Michel Azibert, deputy CEO and chief commercial and development officer, in order to create the conditions for a smooth transition process. He will be proposed as a member of Eutelsat’s board at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in November 2016.

“Michel’s decision to step aside from his executive duties at Eutelsat ends a six-year tenure during which his vision and leadership have transformed Eutelsat into a truly global player and confirmed its place among the world’s leading satellite operators,” said Lord Birt, vice-chairman of the board of Eutelsat. “We are delighted that he will remain as chairman of the board.”