Claude Chêne, a former Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Personnel and Administration, has taken up his duties as Executive Director ad interim of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU). Effective as of 1 September, Mr Chêne will ensure the continuity of the SJU activities and a continued smooth connection between the SJU and its Members, until such time as a new Executive Director is appointed.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Chêne said: “I am extremely pleased to lead SJU during this period of transition. With the help of very talented and committed staff, I am confident that I can sustain the high level of competence already shown by the SJU until the end of my tenure.”

Mr Chêne was selected for the position by the SJU Administrative Board for his wealth of experience, most notably in the transport, administration and aviation fields. “Mr Chêne has a vast knowledge and experience of the transport domain and in particular of the aviation sector. His solid background in the Union's administrative and financial procedures […] constitutes a strong asset,“ says Matthias Ruete, Chairman of the Administrative Board of SESAR, and Director-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) at the European Commission.