As part of the ongoing restructuring moves at Airbus Group, Airbus has announced the appointment of Patrick de Castelbajac as Company Secretary and Chief of Staff, effective 1st November. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of regional turboprop builder ATR, a joint venture between Airbus Group and Italy’s Leonardo-Finmeccanica.

In his new role, he will report to Fabrice Brégier and becomes a member of the Airbus Executive Committee. 

Patrick de Castelbajac began his career in 1997 in the aeronautical industry at European missile house MBDA before spending three years with Baker & McKenzie as a lawyer and member of the Paris Bar. He joined Airbus in 2002 as Vice-President Legal Affairs for Purchasing and Intellectual Property, later being appointed Director of Commercial Contract Negotiations. In June 2014, he was nominated Chief Executive Officer of ATR.

He is replaced at ATR by Christian Scherer, who is currently Executive Vice-President and Head of Airbus Group International.