Guillaume Faury manages the aerospace corporation Airbus SE, where he currently serves as chief executive officer. A French engineer by training, he has logged over 1,300 flying hours as a certified light-aircraft pilot and helicopter flight-test engineer, providing him with direct technical experience in the industry he now leads at the highest executive level.
Academic and Technical Foundation
Born in 1968 in Cherbourg, France, Faury pursued a technical education path. He attended the Lycée François 1 in Le Havre before graduating from the École polytechnique in 1990. He furthered his studies at the Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace in Toulouse, completing his degree there in 1992. His early professional background includes service as a military flight engineer, which established the groundwork for his subsequent roles in research and development and corporate management.
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Faury spent a decade at Eurocopter, which was later integrated into Airbus Helicopters. During this period, he acted as chief engineer for the EC225/H225, overseeing heavy helicopter flight tests and eventually rising to the position of executive vice-president for research and development. In 2010, he briefly shifted sectors to join the automotive manufacturer Peugeot, serving as their executive vice-president for research and development before returning to the aerospace industry.
Leadership at Airbus Helicopters
In March 2013, he replaced Lutz Bertling as the CEO of Airbus Helicopters. His tenure involved managing the aftermath of the H225 crash in Norway, which resulted in the loss of thirteen lives and a 15-month grounding of the model for North Sea oil exploitation. During this time, he steered the development of the H160 medium helicopter and initiated research projects such as the CityAirbus program and the X3 Racer high-speed aircraft.
Ascension to Corporate CEO
Faury transitioned to the role of COO for Airbus Commercial Aircraft in February 2018. Following a decision by the Airbus Board of Directors on 8 October 2018, he succeeded Tom Enders as the CEO of Airbus, officially assuming the position on 10 April 2019. He was reappointed to this role for a three-year term during the 2022 Annual General Meeting. His primary objectives have included navigating the company through the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, managing production challenges for the A320neo, and advancing the development of hydrogen-fueled aircraft.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Cherbourg, France
- Education: École polytechnique, Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace
- Current Position: Chief Executive Officer, Airbus SE
- Previous Role: CEO, Airbus Helicopters (2013-2018)
- Career Achievement: Knight of the National Order of Merit (2010)
- Professional Background: Military flight engineer
- Affiliations: European Round Table for Industry member
Questions readers ask
What is Guillaume Faury's primary professional background?
He is a French engineer and certified helicopter flight-test pilot who transitioned into senior corporate management.
Which major company does he lead?
He is the chief executive officer of the aerospace corporation Airbus SE.
Achievements
- Knight of the National Order of Merit — 2010
- Affiliated with Airbus
- Educated at École polytechnique and Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace
