PARIS, FRANCE: SES, a global satellite communications company, has announced that Steve Collar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will be stepping down at the end of June 2023 to pursue new professional and personal endeavors.

The search for a successor is currently underway, and in the interim, Ruy Pinto, the Chief Technology Officer of SES, will assume the role of CEO until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Frank Esser, Chairman of the SES Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for Collar’s significant contributions to the company over his more than 20-year tenure.

Under Collar’s leadership, SES successfully navigated the rapidly evolving market, establishing a strong position for the future. Esser praised Collar’s accomplishments, including developing a differentiated multi-orbit capability, offering world-class customer solutions, streamlining the organization, and ensuring a robust balance sheet.

Esser further welcomed Ruy Pinto, who currently leads over half of SES’s workforce and brings substantial industry experience, as the company addresses market challenges and capitalizes on new opportunities.

Steve Collar, reflecting on his time at SES, expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead the remarkable people at the company.

He acknowledged SES as an industry benchmark and pledged continued support, admiration, and enthusiasm as he transitions into a supportive role. Collar expressed confidence in Ruy Pinto and the management team, emphasizing his belief in SES’s future success as it launches O3b mPOWER, maintains strong performance, and completes C-band clearing.

Ruy Pinto, who joined SES in February 2017 and was appointed Chief Technology Officer in January 2019, will assume the role of interim CEO. Pinto has been instrumental in driving differentiation in multi-orbit capabilities and facilitating the cloudification of SES.

With over 25 years of experience in various technical and managerial roles at Inmarsat, Pinto brings extensive industry knowledge to his new position. Pinto expressed his enthusiasm for leading SES during this transitional period and highlighted the company’s commitment to growth, value creation for stakeholders, efficient execution, business simplification, and cost optimization.

The departure of Steve Collar marks the end of an era for SES, but the company looks forward to a bright future under the guidance of Ruy Pinto and the management team. As SES continues to adapt to market dynamics and pursue growth opportunities, the company remains committed to delivering value to its stakeholders and maintaining its position as a leader in the satellite communications industry.