Meridiam’s CEO Thierry Déau replaces Iliyana Tsanova as the chairman of SOF Connect Supervisory Board
Jesus Caballero has been appointed as the new CEO of SOF Connect. Prior to taking on this new role, Mr. Caballero has 17 years of experience in airport management, 12 of them as Managing Director/CEO. He has participated in the management of HUB large airports such as Madrid and Barcelona, and tourists airports such as Málaga. He served as General Manager of Melilla airport and General Manager of Seville Airport.
He is Aeronautical Engineer specializing in airports, air navigations systems and air transport management. He holds a master’s in business administration and management from Chamber of Business, Commerce and Industry of Spain, and completed in IESE Business School, University of Navarra an Executive Development Programme.
Under his management, Seville Airport achieved and sustained consistent and strong passenger traffic growth and attained a vital role in the tourism and industry in the region.
In addition to this appointment in the executive management, a change will be made in the SOF Connect Supervisory Board, where Thierry Déau, Meridiam’s CEO and present member of the Supervisory Board will replace Iliyana Tsanova as the chairman as of September 2021. Meanwhile Mrs. Tsanova will take her new position as Deputy Director-General and Chief Risk Officer for DG Budget in the European Commission.
Transforming Sofia International Airport into a modern and competitive European airport, and applying the highest environmental, corporate, and social standards are the priorities of SOF Connect’s management team.
The company’s future plans for development and innovation, corporate values and mission to deliver sustainable and resilient infrastructure that improves clients’ experience include enhanced passenger services and experience, innovative seating and furniture design with integrated modern mobile device charging capability and free full high-speed Wi-Fi coverage. Further plans focus on the renovation of restrooms and the children’s playground, improvement of the commercial area, and expanding the range of restaurants, cafés and shops with leading Bulgarian and global brands.
Recently, Sofia International Airport received the highest safety certification for work in COVID-19 conditions, as well as Health Accreditation from the International Airport Council (ACI World and ACI Europe) and for the passengers’ safety and convenience, COVID-19 testing facilities will be introduced at T1 and T2.
As of today, the project for the improvement and modernization of Sofia International Airport can be seen by passengers and visitors in the interactive Project House in the Arrivals area in Terminal 2. This installation was inspired by Mr. Déau’s idea to visualize the airport’s transformation and provide regular updates on the company’s plans to ensure information transparency.