Brussels, 16th September 2013 – The Aerospace & Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) today announced the appointment of Jan Pie as its new Secretary-General.
Mr. Pie will assume this role on 16th September 2013, succeeding Gert Runde who retires after 37 years of service to our industry.

Mr. Pie has extensive experience in complex civil security, Public-Private Partnership crisis management operations. In joining ASD he leaves his current assignment as Secretary-General of the Swedish Security & Defence Industry’s Association (SOFF), which he has redeveloped into a trusted and important partner of Swedish and Nordic Public Institutions, as well as a driving force within our industrial community.

As Secretary-General of ASD Mr. Pie will be responsible for the management of the Association and for the further development of its role as a unified voice of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry and partner for the European Institutions.

The political agenda at the European level in the coming months will be of high relevance to the industry with many key issues ranging from the preparation of the first summit of Heads of State and Government dedicated to a comprehensive review of Defence Space & Security issues, including industrial policy guidelines; the negotiations of a transatlantic Free-Trade Agreement which holds a fully strategic dimension regarding our sectors; the final preparations for Horizon 2020; the new EU R&T framework, absolutely critical for the competitiveness of one high-tech industry; the further development of an aviation-related Emissions Trading Scheme into a globally compatible arrangement and finally a pro-active development of all aspects related to Single European Sky.

“Our industry, made of numerous small and medium enterprises across all of Europe as well as major world-leading companies will continue to be a major force for innovation and European competitiveness on the global stage under the right framework conditions that ASD will strive to facilitate. This is more than ever, our contribution to Europe’s industrial future”, commented Jean-Paul Herteman, President of ASD.

“I´m honoured to be appointed to the management of ASD. The European industry in the Aerospace and Defence sector is facing a critical period embracing both challenges and opportunities. And our branch plays a very central role both for the security and prosperity of Europe. The research from this sector is also strengthening the competitiveness of the whole European industrial base. That is why working with framework conditions is so important”, said Jan Pie.

About ASD
ASD represents the Aeronautics, Space, Security and Defence industries in Europe. Based in Brussels, the organisation today counts 28 member associations in 20 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, theCzech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK. With a direct workforce of over 730,000 the total annual industry turnover - with over 2,000 companies and 80,000 suppliers, many of which are SMEs - reaches €171.5bn.