At its meeting on 29 September 2025, the Board of Directors of Genève Aéroport appointed Jean-François de Saussure as its next Chief Executive Officer. A proven manager with a solid experience in business development, innovation and institutional relations, Jean-François de Saussure has spent his professional career within iconic Swiss companies such as SGS, SICPA and Caran d'Ache, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 2012 to 2021. A specialist in corporate governance and a keen observer of the local economic and institutional fabric, Jean-François de Saussure won over the Board of Directors with his strategic vision for Genève Aéroport's development into an attractive, accessible and sustainable multimodal mobility hub serving the population of Geneva and the surrounding region. He will take up his post on 1 November 2025.
After graduating in international relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva in 1989, Jean-François de Saussure began his professional career in 1990 at Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS). For twelve years, he held successive positions as subsidiary director in various countries in Africa and South America, then as head of business development. In 2003, he joined the Vaud-based company SICPA Product Security SA as director of business development. He also oversaw institutional and government relations, then took on the role of regional director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
In 2012, he took over as Chief Executive Officer of Caran d'Ache. During his nine years in this position, he contributed to the development and visibility of the brand. Under his leadership, the company developed its online business, expanded its distribution network and strengthened its commitment to customer experience, innovation and sustainability.
Since 2021, he has been working as an independent advisor in strategy, organisation and development, and sits on the boards of various companies in Switzerland and internationally. A certified expert in governance, Jean-François de Saussure is a member of the board of directors and treasurer of
the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). He is also a volunteer director of several foundations and public interest associations active in Geneva. Between 2015 and 2021, he was a member of the Economic Council and then the Committee of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG).
After participating in the development of Swiss economic flagships and their international influence in highly regulated environments, Jean-François de Saussure will put his experience and skills at the service of Genève Aéroport, which is in a historic investment phase to meet significant transformation challenges.
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With his strategic vision and managerial and commercial experience, Jean-François de Saussure is an asset in implementing the guidelines defined by our Board of Directors," said Christian Lüscher, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Genève Aéroport. "
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his ability to innovate, to unite teams to achieve ambitious goals and to gain the trust of economic, political, associative and social partners. He will also make a valuable contribution to continuing the efforts already underway in terms of customer experience," adds Christian Lüscher.
For his part, Jean-François de Saussure welcomes his appointment with enthusiasm: "
I look forward to shaping, alongside the teams at Genève Aéroport, the future of this flagship institution for the canton and the region, namely an attractive, accessible, modern and customer-focused multimodal mobility hub. I am committed to ensuring the quality of services in a context of architectural change and the commercial development of the new platform, and to guaranteeing its harmonious integration through close dialogue with neighbouring municipalities, associations and social partners. I have an ambitious, innovative and sustainable vision for Genève Aéroport, so that we can be proud of this Geneva landmark and so that it can continue to serve the residents, businesses and stakeholders of international Geneva in the best possible way."
Jean-François de Saussure will take up his position as Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2025. He will succeed Gilles Rufenacht, to whom the Board of Directors of Genève Aéroport expresses its deep gratitude for his commitment.