Jean-Luc Maurange has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the John Cockerill Group, succeeding François Michel, the company announced Monday.
According to the press release, François Michel will step down from his role on December 31, 2025, after deciding to pursue other professional opportunities for personal reasons. The Board of Directors thanked Michel for his commitment and contributions to the Group over the past three years and wished him success in his future career.
To ensure continuity and stability, the Board has appointed Jean-Luc Maurange as CEO effective January 1, 2026. Maurange is well known within the John Cockerill Group, having previously served as CEO from 2018 to 2022. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of John Cockerill and several of its subsidiaries, including John Cockerill Hydrogen, John Cockerill Defense and Rely.
The company noted that Maurange also played a significant role in the recent acquisition of Arquus, and that his deep and up-to-date understanding of the Group’s operations and strategic challenges positions him to lead the next phase of development while ensuring continuity in execution.
John Cockerill said its strategic direction remains unchanged across its core sectors, which include energy, defence, hydrogen, metallurgy, industrial services and essential infrastructure. Despite an unstable international environment, the Group emphasized that current conditions also present major opportunities and reaffirmed confidence in its multi-sector business model and long-term vision.
The Board of Directors reiterated its full confidence in the management team and expressed its appreciation to employees for their continued commitment and contribution to the Group’s transformation and growth.