He succeeds to Patrick Samier, who is now assuming new responsibilities within the SAFRAN Group.

Philippe d'Andréa, 49, started his career with IBM in 1982, where he held different positions both in France and the USA. He subsequently worked for the subsidiary of IBM, Montpellier Technologies, as Vice President Sales, Marketing & R&D, before joining Sagem in 1998, to start the newly created Smart Card business unit. In 2005, after the take over of ORGA Kartensysteme GmbH by Sagem Défense Sécurité, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Sagem Orga, and has been leading the worldwide operations of the company since then. He is recognized by the industry for his expertise in smart cards and semi-conductors, and has a track record in management acquired internationally.

He succeeds today to Patrick Samier, who had been heading Sagem Orga for the last 2,5 years, as Chief Executive Officer, and becomes member of the Executive Committee of Sagem Sécurité.

Philippe d'Andréa said: "This is with enthusiasm and determination that I take the lead of Sagem Orga, which is active in a highly innovative, fast-growing and extremely competitive sector. This exciting challenge comes in the continuity of what we have already achieved over the last 2 years. This company is now one of the most competitive and flexible on the smart card market, and within Sagem Sécurité, the worldwide leader in identification systems, the long term prospects are very promising".

Jean-Paul Jainsky, Chairman and CEO of Sagem Sécurité, added : "Sagem Orga is a key element of our development strategy on the digital security market. I am sure that the international experience of Philippe d'Andréa and his proven expertise recognized by the industry, will speed up Sagem Sécurité's growth on the identity systems market, in particular".

Besides Philippe d'Andréa and Holm Neuhaeusser (54), Vice President - Worldwide Manufacturing, the Management Board (Geschäftsführung) of Sagem Orga GmbH, now includes Marc Guillard (43) who is the Chief Finance Officer.
Since February, Didier Sérodon (43) has been appointed Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and is in charge of the international development units and the telecommunications, banking and health & ID product lines.