Dassault Systèmes Leadership Transition: Pascal Daloz Takes Dual Role as Chairman and CEO

Dassault Systèmes has announced a significant leadership transition, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a carefully prepared new chapter. Bernard Charlès has informed the Board of Directors, with immediate effect, of his decision to step down as Executive Chairman and as a member of the Board, citing personal reasons. The move comes after decades in which Charlès shaped the company’s identity, strategy, and technological ambition, turning it from an early-stage venture into a global reference in industrial software and product lifecycle management.

The Board unanimously decided that Pascal Daloz, previously Chief Executive Officer, will assume the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer as of February 21, 2026, following the recommendation of the Compensation and Nomination Committee. The decision underscores continuity rather than disruption, reinforcing the governance stability that Dassault Systèmes has long presented to its customers, partners, and investors. Daloz, who has worked closely with Charlès for a quarter of a century, steps into the expanded role with an intimate understanding of both the company’s operational engine and its long-term vision.

In his first statement as Chairman and CEO, Daloz emphasized both gratitude and strategic resolve. He credited Bernard Charlès for his trust, inspiration, and unwavering support, while reaffirming a shared vision centered on pushing the boundaries of science and imagination to bring virtual worlds into real life. That phrase is not marketing shorthand here; it reflects Dassault Systèmes’ core thesis that virtual environments, powered by advanced simulation and AI, can reshape how products are designed, manufactured, and experienced across industries, from aerospace and mobility to healthcare and life sciences. Daloz made clear that the ambition now is to lead the transformation driven by Industrial AI through 3D UNIV+RSES, positioning the company squarely within what it calls the Generative Economy, with a long-term commitment to redefining how industries innovate, operate, and compete.

Bernard Charlès, in his own remarks, framed the transition as a natural evolution rather than a rupture. As co-founder of Dassault Systèmes alongside Charles Edelstenne, he expressed confidence in Pascal Daloz’s ability to both lead the company and guide the Board’s work, noting their 25 years of close collaboration. Charlès stressed that the decision reinforces continuity, a factor he described as essential to maintaining trust among the company’s largest global clients. While stepping down from formal governance roles, he made it clear that his connection to the company remains deep and active, describing himself as, at heart, a product and technology leader. He confirmed his intention to remain available to support the acceleration of 3D UNIV+RSES adoption, pointing out that after six major waves of industry transformation over four decades, the seventh generation is now fully defined and architected.

Charles Edelstenne, Founder and Honorary Chairman, speaking on behalf of the Board, highlighted the deliberate nature of the succession. He credited Charlès with relentless leadership that established Dassault Systèmes as a world leader in PLM and industrial software, recognized across virtually every major industry. Edelstenne noted that over the past three years, Charlès had actively prepared the transition, ensuring that the seventh generation of AI-based solutions was well underway and that his legacy of high standards and long-term thinking was transmitted. With Pascal Daloz at the helm, he concluded, the company is well positioned to carry that heritage forward.

To address investor and analyst questions, Dassault Systèmes has scheduled a conference call for February 23, 2026, at 7:00 am London time and 8:00 am Paris time. The call will be webcast live and available for replay via the company’s investor website. Participants are encouraged to connect at least fifteen minutes early to complete registration and any necessary audio setup, a small logistical detail that, in its own quiet way, reflects the company’s habitual emphasis on preparation and precision.

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