Bernard Charlès was appointed president and chief executive officer of Dassault Systèmes in September 1995 and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors in May 2016. Today, the Company, world leader in 3D software, is a global top-ten software company. Charlès has helped instill a culture of ongoing innovation to further consolidate Dassault Systèmes’ scientific capabilities and make science part of the company’s DNA. He joined Dassault Systèmes in 1983 to develop new design technologies. In 1986 he founded a dedicated New Technologies, Research & Development, and Strategy department. In 1988 he was appointed president of Strategy, Research & Development, helping establish CATIA as the world’s number one product design software. In 2012, Charlès announced the launch of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, broadening the scope of digitization and simulation to include the consumer experience. Dassault Systèmes rounded out its portfolio with social innovation and information intelligence applications (3DSWYM, EXALEAD and NETVIBES), and at the same time ventured into more diversified sectors, notably with GEOVIA to model and simulate the planet we live on and with BIOVIA to transform biological, chemical and material innovation. He also provided the impetus for Dassault Systèmes to develop B2C applications such as 3DVIA and experiential 3D marketing projects (including Paris3D Saga and Khufu Reborn). In 2015 he created La Fondation Dassault Systèmes of which he is Honorary Chairman. Bernard Charlès holds the rank of Knight (2005) and Officer (2012) in the “Légion d’honneur” (French Legion of Honor) and is a member of the French Academy of Technology. He is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure engineering school in Cachan and has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering majoring in automation engineering and information science. He also holds an agrégation — the most senior teaching qualification achievable in France (specializing in mechanical engineering).