Here are the 7 CEOs who have taken the helm of Atos since 2021.

Last week, the French multinational IT services company Atos appointed Philippe Salle as its new CEO, marking the seventh leadership change in just three years. His role will become effective from 1 February 2025. Jean-Pierre Mustier will act as CEO until January 31, 2025, and will remain a member of the Board of Directors, ensuring an orderly, constructive, and effective transition.

Jean-Pierre Mustier, Chief Executive Officer of Atos, said: “ I am delighted to welcome Philippe Salle to the Board. Philippe Salle is a highly experienced executive whose qualities and expertise in leading blue-chip companies will be a crucial asset as Atos looks to the future. He also has an extensive track record in creating shareholder value. We will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and the effective deployment of the Group’s business and restructuring plan, in the interests of all stakeholders.”

Philippe Salle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atos, said: “It is with great enthusiasm and conviction that I join the Atos Group. I am aware of the challenges that lie ahead, but also of the Group’s strengths, from the quality of its services to the ongoing commitment of its employees, which will enable us, together, to open a new chapter in the Group’s history.”

Atos has had seven different CEOs over the past three years.

1. Elie Girard (2019–October 2021): Élie Girard became the CEO of Atos in November 2019, succeeding Thierry Breton who left to join the European Commission. During Girard’s tenure, the company prioritized digital transformation and growth. However, due to financial underperformance and missed strategic targets, Girard left his position in October 2021.
2. Rodolphe Belmer (January 2022–July 2022): Rodolphe Belmer was appointed to replace Elie Girard in January 2022. However, his leadership was short-lived, lasting only six months. Belmer resigned in July 2022, citing difficulties in implementing the company’s restructuring and growth plans. His exit marked the first of several rapid leadership changes.
3. Nourdine Bihmane (July 2022–October 2023): After Belmer’s departure, Nourdine Bihmane, a long-serving Atos executive, was appointed CEO. Bihmane aimed to steer the company through its restructuring and improve performance, but the company’s challenges persisted. He held the position until October 2023.
4. Yves Bernaert (October 2023): Yves Bernaert took over from Bihmane in October 2023, but his time as CEO was fleeting. Bernaert resigned shortly after, reportedly due to “differences in opinion” over the strategic direction of the company.
5. Paul Saleh (October 2023–July 2024): Paul Saleh, who had been serving as the Group CFO of Atos since August 2023, was appointed CEO following Bernaert’s departure in October last year. In his position, he was tasked with overseeing Atos during a critical restructuring phase, including the planned sale of its Tech Foundations business and Big Data & Security (BDS) division.
6. Jean-Pierre Mustier (July 2024-present): Pierre Mustier, the former CEO of UniCredit, was brought in to head up the firm earlier this year. As CEO, he assumed a more executive role, concentrating on guiding the company’s strategic direction and overseeing its 95,000 employees across offices in over 60 countries.
7. Philippe Salle (February 2025): Salle is poised to take over from Jean-Pierre Mustier, who has been the CEO of Atos since July 2024. Mustier initially joined the company as chairman in October 2023. Salle’s most recent position was CEO of Emeria, a real estate technology and services group. He also has extensive experience in IT consultancy, having previously served as the CEO of Altran Group, which was later integrated into Capgemini. Jean-Pierre Mustier will act as Chief Executive Officer of the Company until January 31, 2025.

Who is Philippe Salle?

Philippe Salle has had an illustrious career, starting with Total in Indonesia in 1988 and subsequently holding key positions at Accenture, McKinsey, Vedior Group (now Randstad), and Geoservices group before assuming the role of Chairman and CEO of Altran Group and later the Elior Group. His impressive track record includes leadership roles at various esteemed companies, and he continues to serve on the boards of Viridien and Banque Transatlantique. Philippe Salle is a distinguished graduate of the Ecole des Mines de Paris and holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University. Additionally, he has been honored with prestigious titles, including Chevalier de l’ordre national du Mérite, Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, and Commandeur de l’ordre du Mérite de la République italienne.

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