Aerospace industry veteran Philippe Balducchi to join Lilium Board of Directors

German electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Lilium has announced changes to its Board of Directors, with the company intending to appoint Philippe Balducchi as a non-executive member of the Board.

This proposed change is subject to approval at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (EGM), scheduled for next Wednesday, 18th September.

Balducchi currently serves as Group CFO of KNDS, a tier-one European defence technology supplier with production lines in France and Germany, and industrial partnerships across the world.

He brings a wealth of aerospace programme experience, having held various senior management roles over a career spanning two decades at Airbus and its predecessor companies.

As CEO of Airbus Canada, Balducchi oversaw the production ramp-up of the successful Bombardier C-Series, its rebranding as the Airbus A220, and the establishment of a new final assembly line in Alabama. Additionally, he is an aviation engineer and holds an MBA from HEC Paris Business School.

Commenting on the proposal to the EGM, Lilium Chairman Tom Enders said, “Philippe’s strategic insights, his financial acumen and his experience in managing large-scale operations in the aerospace and defence sector make him a valuable addition to Lilium’s board.”

On his part, Balducchi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am thrilled to be proposed to join Lilium at such an exciting time in its journey. The company’s vision for electric air mobility is not only innovative but also transformative for the industry. I look forward to contributing to Lilium’s continued success and working with the talented team and board members to advance our shared goals.”

Meanwhile, Barry Engle and Henri Courpron, who have both served as non-executive directors, do not plan to stand for reappointment following the completion of their terms.

During their tenure, Engle and Courpron have been instrumental in shaping Lilium’s trajectory, helping the company grow from a start-up to a mature aerospace firm.

Engle has served as a member of Lilium’s Board since September 2021. He was the key player in securing Lilium’s NASDAQ listing via a de-SPAC procedure. Since joining the Board, Engle has chaired the Audit Committee. He has now taken over an executive position that no longer allows him to be part of a board in Europe.

Commenting on Engle and Courpron, Enders, the Lilium Chairman, said, “Barry and Henri made outstanding contributions to Lilium. Serving on a Board on the other side of the Atlantic comes with additional challenges and sacrifices. We are very grateful for their service and wish them well for their futures.”