French IT firm Atos has appointed Yves Bernaert as its new chief executive, the company’s third in less than two years.

He will replace Nourdine Bihmane, who has held the post since July 2022.

Bihmane will replace Philippe Oliva as deputy chief executive and remain in charge of the tech foundations business.

Atos said Bernaert will oversee the group’s transformation plan.

The company said that if the board decides to go ahead with separation plans, which would see the launch of a new digital transformation solutions company called Eviden group, Bernaert would lead the development.

Bernaert joins Atos from Accenture where he served as chief executive for almost a decade. Bernaert has also held several senior roles in France, as well as in other countries.

He is also chairman of the board of directors of 1001 Fontaines, a French NGO that provides sustainable access to drinking water.

Commenting on the news Bertrand Meunier, chairman of Atos board of directors, said: “On behalf of the entire board, I am very pleased to welcome Yves Bernaert as chief executive officer of Atos. His personal and professional strengths, ability to lead teams through major transformations, in-depth knowledge of our industry and belief in the critical role our sector plays in meeting the national and European digital sovereignty objectives, make him the ideal leader.”

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