Marc Lachaise appointed F4E Director

The Governing Board of Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy, appointed Marc Lachaise as Director.

Carlos Alejaldre, Chair of the F4E Governing Board, thanked all delegates for their cooperation and congratulated Marc Lachaise on their behalf. “We look forward to working with you in order to lead Europe’s contribution to ITER, and its participation in various fusion projects aiming to demonstrate the full potential of this energy source.”

In the wake of the announcement, Marc Lachaise responded: “It is an honour to be appointed Director of F4E and I promise to lead this organisation and its staff with commitment, integrity and a truly collaborative spirit. During my career, I have worked in the field of energy building experience on management, supply chain, and big nuclear projects. I’m ready to offer my expertise to the fusion community because I’m truly convinced of its potential. The responsibility bestowed on me is also an opportunity to honour Europe’s contribution to ITER, empower teams, and collaborate with our partners to deliver ITER.”

Marc Lachaise holds a double degree in Engineering from Ecole Centrale de Lyon in partnership with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (ETSEIB), and an MBA from ESADE. He spent 27 years of his career working in the EDF Group (Électricité de France) where he held different leadership positions, equipping him with a broad set of skills. He started in 1996 in the Maintenance Network Department of EDF until he moved in 2000 to the International Project Division as Project Manager. Three years later, he took the duties of Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice-President in the Corporate Finance Department. In 2008, he became Group Procurement Co-ordinator and Global Sourcing, enhancing collaboration between the main EDF subsidiaries in procurement. After four years performing these duties, he became Head of Procurement at Hinkley Point C, leading the team placing the contracts. In 2015, he was named Deputy Head of Department for Nuclear Procurement. Later, in 2018, he took duties as Contract Manager Director of the EDF Group, developing and instilling a culture of contract management and delivery in the organisation. Since 2021, he holds the position of Supply Chain Control Director in the newly formed assurance function for the EDF New Build nuclear projects under the Excell Performance Plan.