CANSO appoints Simon Hocquard as Director General

CANSO (the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) has announced that Simon Hocquard has been appointed as the new Director General.

This appointment follows as Jeff Poole completes his three-year tenure in the position.

In his new role leading and managing CANSO, Hocquard will be responsible for delivering CANSO strategies, expanding worldwide membership and enhancing CANSO’s relationship with its industry peers and stakeholders.

Prior to this, Hocquard held the role of CANSO Deputy Director General.

“The CANSO Executive Committee unanimously supports the appointment of Simon Hocquard to the position of Director General,” commented Teri Bristol, outgoing Chair of the CANSO Executive Committee (ExCom). “Simon has been an excellent Deputy Director General of CANSO and his wealth of experience as an air traffic controller, CANSO Member and Chairman of the Network Management Board has been of huge benefit to CANSO and its members. The ExCom is delighted that Simon has accepted this position and we look forward to working with him as CANSO enters its next phase.”

Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO, said: “I am deeply honoured that ExCom has chosen me to lead the organisation. My relationship with CANSO goes back many years, both as a CANSO Member when I worked at NATS, and latterly as Deputy Director General of CANSO. This gives me valuable insights from the perspective of a member and from that of the organisation. Also, my background as an air traffic controller, and in senior management positions dealing with strategic and aero-political issues, gives me a comprehensive grasp of the current aviation environment. With new technologies transforming ATM performance, new airspace users such as drones and growing air traffic, the industry faces many challenges. I relish the opportunity to lead CANSO and help guide the ATM industry as it faces and successfully manages these changes.”