ECS Group has appointed Adrien Thominet, currently chief operating officer, as its new chief executive officer.

Thominet succeeds Bertrand Schmoll, who will continue as chairman of the group and will concentrate on strategic development, mergers and acquisitions and addressing the challenges posed by new technologies.

According to ECS, Thominet will focus on developing a new business model and steer the company as it rolls out changes across its network to adapt to the global digital economy. He will also be in charge of the sales strategy, all operations and product and service developments.

“I am honoured by the opportunity to take on the CEO role at ECS group,” said Thominet. “I look forward to working with everyone at ECS group in my new role and leading the company into the next growth phase while continuously strive for innovation and improving the services to our principals.”

Thominet joined the company in 1995 as commercial manager of the AeroCargo business unit and later became managing director. He assumed responsibility for commercial development of the group in 2009 and was appointed chief operating officer in 2011.

Thominet started his career in New York as commercial director of FICOFI, a luxury brand promoting wines from Bordeaux. He then worked for UniFrance Film in Tokyo, managing the Yokohama Film Festival.

“Asking Adrien to take over the responsibility of the group is the logical next step in the growth trajectory of ECS Group,” said Schmoll. “Given the fact that he has been spearheading the sales and operations for the group so far, this transition was only natural. He is by far the best man to lead this group. He has got a really good reputation within the group and in the industry. He is the best image that we can give for our group.”