Michaël Trabbia appointed CEO of Orange Belgium

The Board of Directors of Orange Belgium has decided to appoint Michaël Trabbia to the position of CEO as from September 1st 2016.

With his engineering education and a rich and varied career of 15 years, Michaël Trabbia has an excellent understanding of the telecom sector and its environment. Recognized for his managerial qualities, he has strong strategic expertise and extensive experience in stakeholder relations.

Jan Steyaert, President of the Board of Directors of Orange Belgium declared : « We are very happy to welcome Michael Trabbia as new CEO. After the recent adoption of the Orange Brand by the company, Michaël will bring his whole experience at the top level of the Group to successfully develop the Internet & TV offer and confirm the return to growth of Orange Belgium.”

Commenting on the announcement, Gervais Pellissier, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of European Operations (excluding France), said “We are delighted to have Michaël join the other European CEOs on our management team. He will bring all of his skills and experience to bear on Orange Belgium’s operations. I am convinced that he will pursue the path so successfully laid by Jean-Marc Harion, who has just been appointed CEO of Orange Egypt, and whom I would again like to thank for his contribution to the development of Orange Belgium."

After his nomination, Michaël Trabbia stated : « I am particularly enthusiastic to soon join Orange Belgium, of which I know the engagement and the quality of the teams, at a key moment for the company after the successful launch of the Orange brand. As CEO, I shall be confirming the return to a positive dynamic and prepare Orange Belgium to the challenges ahead, starting with the development of the fixed-mobile convergence, with a special attention on the quality of the customer experience.”

Michaël Trabbia joined Orange in January 2011 and became Group Senior Vice-President for Corporate Public Affairs. He then moved to the team of the Chairman and CEO of Orange as Chief of staff and Secretary of the Group’s Executive Committee in July 2014.

He began his career in 2001 with the French regulator ARCEP, where he was in charge in particular of the attribution and regulation of mobile licenses. In 2004, he was named Advisor to the cabinet of the Minister for European Affairs, later joining the cabinet of the Minister for Regional Development as Advisor for “ICT and Europe”. Then, in 2007, he joined TDF as Head of Strategy and Development. In July 2009, he was appointed Deputy Head of Cabinet of the Minister for Industry and Head of “Industrial Sectors Policy” before joining Orange in 2011.

Born in 1976, Michaël Trabbia is a graduate of École polytechnique and Télécom ParisTech, and holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Industrial Economics. Michaël Trabbia is married and father of 2 children.