Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR has named Nathalie Tarnaud Laude as its new chief executive from September 2022, its first female CEO.

Tarnaud Laude replaces Stefano Bortoli, whose four-year mandate comes to an end on September 17, 2022.

“I thank Stefano for his strong leadership in preserving ATR’s market position and financial situation, while at the same time maintaining its highly skilled workforce in the unprecedented times of Covid, and preparing the grounds for the future of ATR,” Tarnaud Laude said in a statement in July 2022.

Bortoli will take up a new leadership role at Leonardo, with details to be announced in the coming days, ATR said. Toulouse-based ATR is a joint venture between Airbus and fellow European aerospace group Leonardo.

Tarnaud Laude joins from Airbus, where she is currently NHIndustries’ President and Head of the NH90 Program for Airbus Helicopters.

“She brings strong strategic and leadership skills, as well as program execution experience, essential to continue developing ATR as a leader in sustainable regional aviation,” ATR said in the statement.

Amidst a debate over gender inequality in aviation and aerospace, 2022 has seen a spate of aviation companies naming female chief executives, including KLM, Pegasus and Bluebird Nordic.