Airbus, a France-based aircraft maker, has hired Yann Barbaux (pictured) to a new role of chief innovation officer (CIO).
Barbaux will start at the beginning of May at Airbus after he founded and ran the wider group’s corporate research organization, EADS Innovation Works, at the company in 2006.
As CIO, he will report directly to Fabrice Brégier, executive president of Airbus. Brégier said: “This new network will instil and spread a more open innovation mindset across Airbus also taking on board the numerous ideas generated outside. I am convinced that this will enable us to respond to and anticipate future trends quicker for the overall benefit of our customers.