In order to support its newly-created Communications & Corporate Affairs function, which will go live on 1 January 2020, Airbus has appointed a new Communications leadership team who will work together to bring the next chapter of the company to life while ensuring business proximity, reinforcing audience centricity and growing digital, editorial and visual content capabilities.

Maggie Bergsma, currently Head of Communications for ATR, is appointed Head of Communications Commercial Aircraft. In the new Communications leadership team she will join Yves Barillé, Head of Communications Helicopters, and Dirk Erat, Head of Communications Defence & Space.

Philipp Encz is appointed Head of Creative Core, a newly-created role in which he will lead Airbus' creative content teams and oversee group-wide internal and external communication activities. Philipp joins from Siemens where he acted as Head of Financial and Corporate Media Relations. He will work closely with Maggie, Yves and Dirk to ensure proximity and coordination with the company's three main businesses.

Philipp, Maggie, Yves and Dirk will report directly to Julie Kitcher - Executive Vice-President Communications & Corporate Affairs and member of the Airbus Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, Guillaume Steuer is appointed Head of External Communications, reporting to Philipp Encz and managing Airbus' media relations, web and social media activities. He will rely on Stefan Schaffrath, Head of External Communications Commercial Aircraft, and Martin Agüera, Head of External Communications Defence & Space, to boost dialogue with Airbus' external audiences and strengthen the company's brand and reputation worldwide. Guillaume's succession in the Head of External Communications Helicopters role will be subject to further notice.

Contributed by Airbus