Head of Procurement, Airbus India & South Asia
Andreas Schwab is the Head of Procurement at Airbus India & South Asia, where he is responsible for driving strategic procurement initiatives, and strengthening Airbus’ competitive positioning in India as well as in the global aerospace industry. He is a seasoned professional with a strong background in procurement, strategic finance, and business strategy, making him a versatile leader in an industry where cost competitiveness and value creation are critical.
Prior to this role, Andreas served as a Senior Manager – Head of Procurement Competitiveness, where he was responsible for global supply chain management, contract negotiations and collaboration within the aerospace sector.
He also served as Executive Assistant to SVP Airbus Aerostructures Procurement, where he was in charge of defining and validating strategies and aligning R&T priorities including public funding with the company’s strategic partners.
Andreas joined Airbus in 2013. With over 12 years of his tenure with the company, he has contributed as a strategist while also working as procurement manager across key programmes including the procurement of A350 XWB and A330 Leading Edge Devices, Single-Aisle and A400M Flaps, as well as the A380 Inner Fixed Leading Edge.
He holds a Master of Science degree in International Accounting and Finance from University of Liverpool, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from NORDAKADEMIE.
Andreas is married and has a daughter. He is a CrossFit enthusiast with passion for travelling and reading.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brad Bourne holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business. Mr. Bourne spent 17 years at Spar Aerospace, a Canadian aerospace company, in roles of increasing responsibility within their Space Robotics business, their satellite business and the corporate office.
Mr. Bourne joined FTG in 2002 as President and became Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation on January 9, 2004. During his tenure at FTG, the company has focused on the Aerospace and Defense market, moved the company into higher levels of technology and has grown over 1,000%. The company has expanded from its Canadian base to establish operations in the US, China and now India. He serves at a Director on the Ontario Aerospace Council, and is on the Board of Directors of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
Director General
Dr. Pramod Sant is a distinguished expert with over 42 years of experience spanning supply chain management, procurement, logistics, foreign trade, and export control. A visionary leader who combines deep domain expertise with a passion for institutional excellence and professional development.
Industrial Performance & Supply Chain VP
Prior to joining SNECI, Frédéric spent 22 years within PSA Group, where he started as a salesperson for Automobiles CITROËN, to implement Quality of Service certification, before holding several positions in Quality, Production, Maintenance, Industrial Launch inside plants.
From 2012 to 2014, Frédéric Laganier oversaw the Group’s Social Relations, before being promoted as Director of the Rennes Production Site.
His last position inside PSA Group was Global Head of Industrial Strategy, where Frédéric contributed to the integration of the OPEL sites within the PSA footprint, while dealing with issues of internationalization (China, Southeast Asia, India, Morocco, Latin America) and energy transition. In 2020, Frédéric Laganier joined SNECI as Director of Industrial Performance and Director of Human Resources.
Frédéric led the international extension of SNECI including new SNECI offices’ openings (Malaysia, India, Türkey, Poland), and developed the aerospace and defense industry support.
Since 2022, Frédéric has been appointed Vice-President of SNECI Group, in charge of Industrial Performance & Supply Chain.
Head of Flying Parts Procurement
Puneet Anand is the Head of Flying Parts Procurement at Airbus India and South Asia, where he is responsible for orchestrating strategies that strengthen the global supply base while empowering Indian suppliers to achieve world-class standards. He is a seasoned professional with over 22 years of cross-functional expertise spanning Engineering, Quality Assurance, Corporate Governance, and Global Supply Chain.
Prior to this role, Puneet served for 8 years in Toulouse, France, where he was working in the procurement supply chain of Digital and Engineering services. He also served as a Corporate Auditor delivering independent, high-impact assurance directly to the Airbus Executive Committee.
Puneet joined Airbus in 2009. With over 17 years of his tenure with the company, he has contributed in various technical roles in Engineering – Flight Physics, across key programmes including Long Range for Rapid Decompression , A350 for Landing Gear design, as well as A380 for multiple landing and Take-Off configurations.
Before his tenure at Airbus, he served as a Scientist in the Indian Defense Research and Development Organisation for 5 years where he specialized in the aerodynamic testing of missile configurations.
He holds a MBA in General Management from HEC Paris with specialised certifications in Digital Transformation from Stanford Business School,USA and IMD Business School, Switzerland. He earned his Bachelor`s degree in Aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
Outside of his professional life, Puneet is a badminton enthusiast and an avid traveler. He lives with his wife and daughter.
Head of Flying Parts Procurement
Sandeep Singh Chauhan is the first Expert in Airbus India (Customer Services), a recognition awarded at the global level for domain leadership. With more than a decade of experience across aviation, airlines, MRO, logistics, automobiles, and he brings deep expertise in applying Operations Research (OR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Optimization to solve complex, real-world business problems.
At Airbus, Chauhan leads the Optimization Team for Airlines Business, where he has designed models that optimize maintenance scheduling, resource allocation, network operations, and digitalization of MRO processes. His work directly supports airlines in reducing aircraft grounding time, improving resource utilization, and boosting operational efficiency.
Axon’ Cable
Stéphane Watier currently serves as the AXON’ Indian Units and Singapore Unit Global Manager at AXON’ CABLE, a position held since March 2017. Prior to this role, Stephane Watier was the International Project & Engineering Manager at AXON CABLE, demonstrating a strong background in project management and engineering within the global context of the company.
Vice President
Engineering Gold Medallist Graduate from SSN, Anna University with a Master in Business Administration ( MBA, Entrepreneurship) from Johannesburg. She has taken a module at Google, New York and at Harvard Business School, Boston as a part of her Global exchange program during her MBA
Vaishnavi used to work as a Procurement Category Lead in the field of Industrial and Process Specialties, specialized in providing customized Market Intelligence to 40+ Fortune 500 clients
Currently – Dy. CEO of Jayasuriya Aero – An aerospace & defence mechanical parts manufacturing firm.
The firm has 15,000+ certified parts for aircraft, missiles, spacecraft, and helicopters . Vaishnavi holds 10+ years of experience specialising in Re engineering & Indigenisation – Clientele & End User Projects executed include ISRO, DRDO, Indian Air Force, Brahmos, Bharath Dynamics, Bharath Electronics, HAL, LnT Defence , Engine Factory Avadi, Heavy Vehicles Factory, Godrej Aerospace, Aeronautical Development Agency to name a few
Vaishnavi also serves as Vice President – UCAL Ltd. UCAL leads as an Innovation solution provider offering range of systems and components to meet needs of Automotive, Aerospace and Defence Sectors. UCAL Group integrates its various verticals to provide end to end solutions – starting with Revolutionary Concepts, Robust Design, Rapid Prototyping , Rigours Testing and Reliable Manufacturing Clientele & End User Projects executed include CUMMINS, Mahindra, Bajaj, Hyundai, HONDA, TVS, Ford, Maruti Suzuki, Hitachi, TATA, Royal Enfield, STELLANTIS, Ashok Leyland to name a few
Personally she is a musician and a classical dance performer, teacher and choreographer who has toured extensively across India, Germany, Holland, France, Luxemburg and South Africa. She is also visiting faculty for two leading dance schools in Johannesburg where she holds annual workshops for teaching Bharatham
PUBLICATIONS
Article Authored – “Impact of Innovative Technology on TiO2” featured as COVER Story in Indian Chemical Council Magazine in the New Year Issue
Authored article titled “Titanium Dioxide Substitution” featured in an international magazines voted “Top 20 Feature Articles”
INTERNATIONAL WEBINARS / PODCASTS
Presenting Live on Web Platform to Global Procurement Heads on Costing and Profitability – Levers for Procurement Negotiations
Vice President and Country Head, India
Ashish Saraf is Vice President and Country Head, India, Pratt & Whitney. As Pratt & Whitney’s senior-most in-country leader, Ashish leads all strategic growth and transformation efforts in India. He will be responsible for the growth and alignment of Pratt & Whitney’s in-country engineering, supply chain, customer service, operations, and digital transformation centers.
Ashish joins Pratt & Whitney from Thales, where he served as country director and chairman for all Thales India businesses, including aerospace, defense, biometrics, cybersecurity, and the Global Capability Center.
Ashish has over 20 years of industry and consulting experience, with an extensive background spanning the aerospace, space, defense, biometrics, and manufacturing sectors. Prior to his tenure at Thales, Ashish held several leadership roles at Airbus and the Tata-Sikorsky joint venture. He also worked at Deloitte Consulting, focusing on strategy, operations, and supply chain in the manufacturing and engineering sectors in the U.S. and Europe.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com.
GIFAS Representative in India
GIFAS (the French Aerospace Industries Association) is an industrial body that brings together over 500 companies ranging from the main prime contractors to equipment manufacturers and SMEs. Our Indian network federates some 60 French industrial locations in India and counts some 80 more members willing to develop their activities, whether establishment, expansion, search for partners, etc.
Deputy CEO & President
Mohanakrishnan KP is a Strategic Corporate Leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, curiosity and global mind-set. He is a Strategic Architect driving Operational Excellence and innovation for achieving the targeted sustainable business growth in AXISCADES, a global engineering and technology solutions company serving the Aerospace, Defence, and ESAI sectors. With a rich leadership experience of close to three decades in the Aerospace & Defence industry, he has provided extensive contribution in building and scaling advanced aerospace manufacturing and engineering businesses in India.
At AXISCADES, he spearheads the Global Aerospace Engineering Business and drives company’s strategy for establishing s footprint in Aerospace Manufacturing, transforming AXISCADES into an integrated “design-to-build” partner for global OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. His responsibilities span across effective business growth, devising manufacturing strategies, expanding technology partnerships, and capitalizing strategic investments. He is focused on staying abreast and consistent in combining strategic vision, technical expertise, and people leadership leveraging organizational growth and deliver exceptional results.
He also holds the prestigious position as “The Board Member” in Cades Studec Pvt Ltd (CSTI) and is part of the Chairman’s Core Team, contributing to Group which enhances his senior leadership role in the organisation.
His comprehensive expertise covers aerospace manufacturing, engineering services, smart factory transformation, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 adoption. He combines strategic vision with deep operational expertise, bringing a strong perspective on the future of aerospace manufacturing, supply-chain resilience, and next-generation smart factory ecosystems.
Mr. Mohanakrishnan is a connoisseur combining entrepreneurial zeal with business-management skills to elevate brand, driving revenue gains, market share, customer experience, value delivery, and excellent ROI. He is a thought-provoking guide, well connected with who’s-who of the industry, capable of transforming constraints into opportunities.
Talent Development & Culture Champion: A Visionary People leader dedicated to fostering diversity, implementing robust succession plans, bolstering team’s productivity, and mentoring the next generation of leadership through cross-pollination.
Stakeholder Credibility & Industry Influence: Highly regarded by Global Leaders, Management team, external consultants, and peers for exceptional cross-functional expertise, unyielding work commitment, and an extensive network of senior industry relationships.
Throughout his career, he was successful in spearheading Business Incubation and accelerating large-scale business transformation initiatives across engineering and manufacturing domains. Identified as SME in conceptualizing and methodically establishing new business verticals, optimizing process efficiencies, and driving optimal revenue growth.
He is instrumental in International Market Activation, successful in unlocking high-potential global markets by tailoring portfolios, initiating business revivals, and capturing mainstream markets.
Vice President
As Vice President India for Strategic Projects at LATECOERE, Suresh LATCHOUMANASSAMY leads the strategic initiative of “Buy in India”.
With over 30 years of experience in aerospace industrialization and manufacturing, Suresh has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between France and India. He successfully bridged the two countries to establish a joint venture and set up an aerospace forging facility in India. Having founded companies in both France and India, he brings a unique entrepreneurial perspective and valuable lessons from his involvement in the “Make in India” initiative.
EVP Global Aerospace and Defence
Frédéric joined Capgemini in 2024 from Airbus Group.
He brings a wealth of expertise gained with a three-decade long career in the Aerospace & Defense Industry. At Airbus Group, he held leadership positions in Engineering, Safety, Customer Services and Business Development. He is recognized for successfully driving critical projects, programs, and large-scale transformations, managing crisis situations, and fostering innovation. His deep industry knowledge, combined with proven agility in leading global, multicultural, and cross-functional teams, enables him to connect with the A&D ecosystem and deliver significant value to clients and teams. Frédéric is based in Toulouse, France.
Executive President Defence
Sampathkumaran S.T. is a business leader with more than 30 years of extensive experience with various reputed manufacturing organizations across India.
During his career, he was responsible for handling Business operations in Indian and global markets in the areas of Aerospace, Space, Defence, Defence R&D labs.
During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing the Missiles Business for the Adani
Group, securing numerous high-profile contracts with the DRDO and the Indian Armed
Forces. His notable achievements include:
Successfully managed multiple DCPP and ToT contracts with the DRDO and key
branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
Sampathkumaran is currently the Executive President – Defence with HFCL Group and based out of Bangalore.
Prior to joining HFCL, he has worked with Adani Group as Senior Vice President– Defence & Aerospace Heading the Missiles Business and earlier with Dassault Reliance Aerospace as the CEO.
Sampathkumaran is a graduate Electrical & Electronics Engineer from the University
of Mysore, with Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Marketing) from the Goa
Institute of Management Studies – Goa. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers,
India and a Certified Chartered Engineer.
