Yesterday, on 10 July, Hexcel announced that its President – Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial, Thierry Merlot, was preparing his retirement and consequently, was going to transition from his current role to Executive Vice President, Strategy from September 29.

Thierry Merlot will be replaced by Lilian Brayle. Mr. Brayle has more than 30 years of global experience in the aerospace and defence industry, particularly his significant experience in managing global, large-scale projects. He joins Hexcel from Naval Group, where he served as executive vice president of systems, equipment and propulsion and contributed to the success of the Australian Future Submarine programme. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at KNDS Group, Airbus and Safran, where he led large-scale, complex businesses and drove strategic growth initiatives.

Mr. Brayle holds a degree in mechanical and process engineering from the University of Sheffield in the U.K., a degree in mechanical engineering from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon, France, and a master’s degree in international business from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Toulouse, France.