A complete metamorphosis - a radical shift in our perspective on the world - is required. This can only be achieved by leveraging the virtual worlds to improve the real world. Our science based Virtual Twin Experiences rely on a range of multiscale disciplines - biology, chemistry, materials science, mechanics and electromagnetism - allowing our AI engines to transform their gigantic, unorganized data, into structured knowledge and know-how. These virtual assets are becoming the enabler of new products and services to the end consumer, which is what business leaders are expecting: not just the virtualization of the product, but the virtualization of the product in the context of its usage – this is what “Experience” is about.
Bernard Charlès has been Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dassault Systèmes, since January 2024. He served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2022, and was Chairman & CEO in 2023.
Charlès started his career in the company in 1983 to develop new design technologies. In 1986, he founded a dedicated New Technologies, Research and Strategy department, and in 1988 was appointed President of Strategy, Research and Development.
He has helped instill a culture of ongoing innovation to further consolidate Dassault Systèmes’ scientific capabilities and make science part of the company’s DNA. The inspiration behind digital mock-up, product lifecycle management and 3DEXPERIENCE®, he firmly believes that virtual technology is about making possible the impossible: 3DEXPERIENCE universes are the most powerful vehicle for testing concepts and creating the future, bringing dream and reality together, and stretching the limits of science and imagination to drive progress in society.
Charlès has positioned Dassault Systèmes as the preferred partner for sustainable innovation in three major sectors of the economy: Manufacturing Industries, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Infrastructure & Cities. The company, established in 1981 and world leader in virtual worlds, was recognized as one of Forbes’ "World’s Most Innovative Companies".
Bernard Charlès is co-author with philosopher Pierre Musso of The Industry Renaissance, which discusses the power of virtual universes to sustainably transform industry.
He is a foreign member of the US National Academy of engineering and a member of the French Academy of Technology. He holds the rank of Commander in the “Légion d’honneur” (French Legion of Honor). He is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure engineering school in Cachan and has a PhD in mechanical engineering majoring in automation engineering and information science. He also holds an agrégation — the most senior teaching qualification achievable in France (specializing in mechanical engineering).
Florence VERZELEN started her career as a financial analyst in investment banking in New York. She then acquired more than 5-years experience in the public sector: she worked in the European Commission in Brussels where she has been responsible for the trade relationships between EU and China, and thereafter of the antitrust case against Microsoft.
She joined the team of the French Minister of European Affairs, as his advisor on trade and industry issue in 2007. From 2008 to 2017, she worked at Engie, a world leader in the energy sector. She was first in charge of Business Development for the Group, then became CEO of Engie in Qatar and later VP for the group procurement performance plan. She finally was appointed COO of Engie Europe and Russia.
She is also an experienced board member, with board position at PSA and currently at Air France. Florence has been nominated Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2013. Florence is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique / Corps des Mines.
Josephine ONG heads the Dassault Systèmes business in the Asia Pacific South region, covering Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
Her key mandate is driving sustainable value creation for our customers, achieved through identification of high potential market segments and addressing their critical business processes with technology that provides tangible and meaningful KPIs.
Guillaume GERONDEAU is Vice President at Dassault Systèmes, Transportation and Mobility Industry Asia. He is an expert in automotive, digital business transformation, and smart mobility.
Prior to joining Dassault Systèmes in 2015, he had a 30 years long career in the automotive industry as Senior International Innovation, Product, Marketing, Sales Executive, and Strategy Consultant.
Guillaume has experience as an executive in almost all the areas of the value chain in the automobile industry. He was head of global product strategy and product planning at Nissan. He was also heading global brand strategy and product marketing for Toyota after having been in charge of European product planning and marketing. At Renault, he managed a long-term research budget, led the innovation process and the reorganization of the R&D resource management, and was managing director of the Austrian subsidiary.
He also served as senior advisor of Booz Allen and Hamilton (now Strategy &) specialized in the automotive sector.
Simon NG is the head of Dassault Systèmes Customer Role Experience Team in Southeast Asia (ASEAN). This sees him working with a dynamic team of territory sales managers, territory technical managers, channel managers, marketing managers and value added resellers to expand Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks industry leadership in the region.
Simon brings with him more than 20 years of design to manufacturing software industry experience in manufacturing, construction, engineering, government, process, power, marine, automotive, transportation and other vertical industries across Asia Pacific and Japan. Started in the late 90s as Area Specialist in Parametric Technology Corp (PTC) for Asia Pacific south, Spent a total of 17 years in two stints at Autodesk from late 90s to 2019 in various technical, marketing, sales and management positions in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Headed Lexmark Malaysia for 3 years from 2013-2016 in managed services and document management software business.
Joined Dassault Systèmes at the end of 2019 to lead the territory business in Southeast Asia, advocating 3DEXPERIENCE platform and empowering businesses from planning, design, simulation to manufacturing systems.
An engineer by training, in Manufacturing Engineering from the Yokohama National University and Masters in International Management from RMIT University.
Jean SOL-MACHER is an experienced professional who currently serves as the Head of the Economic Section at the French Embassy in Thailand. Prior to this role, he held positions in various sectors, including nuclear energy, public finances forecast, and theoretical physics research.
He possesses a diverse educational background, including a Ph.D. in theoretical physics and training in public service management from Ecole nationale d’administration (ENA) in France.
Punya CHUPANIT holds a Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and currently serves as the Director General at the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning within the Ministry of Transportation in Thailand, where he oversees policy development and logistics project feasibility studies to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the transportation sector.
Mr. Krisda UTAMOTE is President of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT). The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand is a non-profit association with the objectives to promote and support sharing of academic knowledge in terms of electric vehicle technologies and innovations. EVAT also provides consultation regarding requirements and operations for development of electric vehicle technologies in Thailand.
EVAT’s members represent private sector, educational institutes, state enterprises and general public, with over 246 members. EVAT schedules to hold its meetings monthly and establishes various committees to support and promote the Thai electric vehicle industry to ensure a steady and sustainable growth.
A lawyer by education from India, Pras pursued his Masters in International Relations in Japan and the United States. Thereafter, he spent his initial career as an in-house legal advisor and a management consultant in Japan and Australia, prior to joining Toyota.
For the last two decades, he has been in Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, Europe, and now Thailand, with experience in Human Resources, Accounting & Finance, Global External Affairs, Corporate Planning, Production Control and Logistics.
Currently, as Executive Vice President of the Business Transformation Group, he has responsibility for the company’s roadmap towards Carbon Neutrality and Digital Transformation across the Asia region.
Pras is also the Program Director for the Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF), responsible for the Asia-Pacific Region. In a world with mounting mobility challenges, TMF was set up to use Toyota’s know-how in partnership with like-minded innovative stakeholders to address the mobility issues of tomorrow today.
Hou SHI, the General Manager of Changshu Innovation, brings substantial expertise to her role. Her professional background is rooted in PR and market support for international fashion brands, providing her with a deep understanding of the luxury and fashion sectors. Holding double majors from the University of Missouri, Hou has a track record of successfully organizing brand and market events.
Fluent in English and skilled in intercultural communication, she has inherited Changshu Innovation's welding equipment business from her father, and her results-oriented approach and resource integration talents position her well to lead the company to new heights.