CAE CEO Marc Parent to Step Down in 2025 After Two Decades of Leadership

CAE has announced that Marc Parent, who has led the company for 20 years, including 15 as President and CEO, will step down at the annual general meeting scheduled for August 2025. Parent’s decision is part of CAE’s ongoing succession plan. Over his tenure, Parent has played a pivotal role in transforming CAE into a global leader in training solutions for civil aviation, defense, and security forces.

During Parent’s leadership, CAE’s annual revenue nearly doubled, growing from CA$2.2 billion to CA$4.3 billion. This impressive expansion was largely driven by his strategic focus on shifting the company’s core from industrial manufacturing to aviation training services. Today, over two-thirds of CAE’s revenue is derived from recurring services, a shift that has solidified the company’s leading position in the sector.

Alan N. MacGibbon, Chair of the Board of Directors, commended Parent’s contributions, emphasizing that his leadership has firmly established CAE as a key player in the aerospace industry and furthered its mission to enhance global safety. MacGibbon expressed the Board’s gratitude for Parent’s lasting influence on both the company and the wider aerospace field, noting that the transformation under his leadership has laid a strong foundation for future expansion.

Parent reflected on his time with CAE, expressing pride in the company’s accomplishments. He highlighted the outstanding team he has worked with, as well as the industry recognition CAE has earned under his guidance. He pointed to the company’s technological innovations and stringent training standards, which have set global benchmarks. Parent conveyed confidence in CAE’s future, citing robust growth opportunities in both the Civil and Defence sectors and a solid order backlog.

As part of the succession plan, CAE’s Board has hired a leading executive search firm to identify a new CEO, considering both internal and external candidates. The Human Resources Committee of the Board will oversee the search, with Parent offering his support to ensure a seamless transition.

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