#Paris #France #Defense #Sopra Steria #Laura Chaubard

Sopra Steria Names Laura Chaubard Head of Defense, Security and Space Division

Sopra Steria, a leading player in the European technology sector, has announced the appointment of Laura Chaubard as the new head of its Defense, Security and Space division, effective September 1, 2026. Chaubard, an esteemed graduate of École Polytechnique and an engineer for the French armament corps, brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role, previously serving as the Director General of École Polytechnique.

This strategic move comes at a pivotal time when Europe is ramping up its defense expenditure and prioritizing the mastery of critical technologies as vital to national security. The Defense, Security, and Space segment, which accounted for 13% of Sopra Steria's revenue in 2025, consolidates the most strategically significant activities of the company aimed at serving armed forces, governments, and critical infrastructures. Chaubard’s appointment is set to bolster the company’s ambitions to become a leading European partner in critical systems, particularly as technological sovereignty rises to prominence in strategic discussions.

Why Now?

The urgency of this appointment is underscored by the recent acceleration of defense funding in Europe, reaching levels not seen in the past three decades. This commitment signifies Europe’s determination for strategic autonomy, identifying which actors will design and maintain critical systems, along with the extent of their independence from non-European influences. Sopra Steria is positioned uniquely within this landscape, with its Defense, Security, and Space division tasked with the design and integration of critical systems for armed forces, security services, space agencies, and other essential infrastructures like command, intelligence, cybersecurity, sovereign data processing, and related applications.

The company’s strategic acquisitions have been instrumental in this regard. Notably, its 100% subsidiary CSGroup is recognized as a major integrator of critical defense and security systems. Furthermore, the recent acquisition of Starion and Nexova in May 2026 has augmented Sopra Steria’s competencies in the domains of space and cybersecurity, solidifying its standing as a leading European player in these markets.

Amidst this accelerated growth, Chaubard steps into her new position as the company sets its sights on making defense, security, and space one of its significant growth drivers in the coming years. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, CEO of Sopra Steria, emphasized that ambitions are measured by the resources invested in them, highlighting the company's commitment to this division.

Laura Chaubard’s deep expertise and visionary leadership will undoubtedly play a vital role in steering Sopra Steria’s initiatives within this critical domain. Her contributions are anticipated to enhance not just the competitive edge of Sopra Steria, but also the broader strategic autonomy for Europe in these essential sectors. Over the years, as organizations like Sopra Steria take on more significant roles in critical technology integration, it is likely to impact how security and defense are conceptualized and executed across the continent.

As industries evolve to meet these challenges, the future of Europe's defense, security, and space initiatives will likely hinge on timely and informed leadership, making Chaubard's role ever more critical as she embarks on this new journey with Sopra Steria.

In conclusion, Laura Chaubard’s ascension within Sopra Steria comes at a crucial juncture for European defense and security, reflecting the changing landscape and the increasing importance placed on autonomy in technology and systems critical to national security. Her leadership will be fundamental in navigating these critical systems as Europe seeks to establish a robust defense posture for the future.