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Arianespace appoints David Cavaillolès as CEO replacing Stéphane Israël
MUMBAI: Arianespace has gone in for 36 year old David Cavaillolès to become CEO of the European space rocket launch firm from January 2025.
David has been a rising young star, starting out in insurance at ACPR as a financial supervision expert after acquiring two masters degrees, one in sciences, economic, and mathematics followed by another in finance which included actuarial finance.
He stayed there for a couple of years following which he joined the public sector, first as an inspector of finances for a couple of years for the French government, then as a senior ministerial adviser in the office of the minister of education, research and innovation where he was given charge of space David advised the ministry on its industrial strategy for launchers and satellites, Newspace, among many other areas.
He held this position for two and a half years before being lured back to the private sector by Capgemini Financial Services where he stayed for five years and theee months, rising from head of ADM Paris practice to chief sales officer of the French office of Capgemini.
His growth has been rapid throughout his career, especially considering that he was headhunted to lead Arianespace at the young age of 36.
David replaces Stéphane Israël the outgoing CEO of Arianespace, who has been at the company’s helm since April 2013 and is currently pursuing new opportunities. As CEO, Stéphane Israël played a key role in developing the Ariane industrial cluster with the Ariane 6 launcher, and in transforming Arianespace, which became a subsidiary of ArianeGroup in 2017.
After consolidating the Ariane 5, Vega and Soyuz launcher families and supporting the development of Ariane 6 and Vega C next-generation launchers, Stéphane Israël gave Arianespace’s offering a new direction, transitioning from dual GEO satellite launches to solutions designed for large constellations in low-Earth orbit and the growing diversity of satellites.
Thanks to these initiatives, Arianespace reached a record rate of 15 launches in 2021 while taking orders for 30 Ariane 6 launches and 15 Vega C launches. Since April 2013, Stephane Israël has supervised 108 launches, including, recently, the emblematic James Webb Telescope (JWST) mission for Nasa and the Juice probe launch for the European Space Agency (ESA).
“Every day I have spent since April 2013 writing this chapter in the history of Arianespace has been a great honor and an extraordinary human adventure,” said Stéphane Israël. “I am pleased to entrust my successor with a company boasting a solid order book to ramp up the launch rate as of 2025. With Ariane 6, Arianespace will be able to capture the opportunities arising in a dynamic and fast-changing market.”
ArianeGroup CEO Martin Sion said: “Stéphane has supported Arianespace through major milestones, from the height of Ariane 5’s success to the first flight of Ariane 6. He also worked hard to transform Arianespace in line with ArianeGroup.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
