Bernard Charlès
Bernard Charlès | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1957 Brittany, France |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Known for | CEO and Chairman of Dassault Systèmes |
Bernard Charlès (born 1957) is a French business executive who serves as both CEO and Chairman of the Board at Dassault Systèmes, recognized globally as the 3DEXPERIENCE Company and a leader in 3D design software, digital mock-up, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions. In 2017, he was ranked 13th among the world’s top-performing CEOs by the Harvard Business Review. Under his guidance, Dassault Systèmes earned the distinction of being the most sustainable company worldwide according to the 2018 Global 100 index by Corporate Knights. That same year, CEOWORLD magazine included Charlès in its list of the "Best CEOs In The World."
Early life and education
Charlès was born in Brittany, France. He completed his studies at Ecole Normale Supérieure in Cachan (ENS Cachan), where he earned a PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus on automation and information science. Additionally, he obtained an agrégation in mechanical engineering, France’s highest teaching certification.
Professional career
Joining Dassault Systèmes soon after its inception in 1983, Charlès contributed to the development of cutting-edge design technologies. By 1986, he had founded the New Technologies, Research and Strategy division and was appointed President of Strategy, Research & Development by 1988. He was instrumental in introducing the digital mock-up (DMU) concept in 1989, which replaced physical prototypes with virtual 3D product models.
Elevated to CEO and president in 1995, Charlès became a board member in 1996 and spearheaded Dassault Systèmes’ public offering that year. He expanded PLM from digital mock-ups to encompass entire product lifecycles by 2000, fueling growth through significant acquisitions such as ENOVIA (1998), DELMIA (2000), SIMULIA (2005), and SolidWorks (1997). He also consolidated control over Dassault Systèmes’ distribution channels that were previously managed by IBM.
In 2012, Charlès unveiled the 3DEXPERIENCE vision, which merges consumer experience simulation with 3D design to promote sustainable innovation aligning products with nature and life. To realize this vision, he led strategic acquisitions including Gemcom (2012), Apriso (2013), RTT (2014), Quintiq (2014), and Accelrys (2014). These moves broadened the company’s portfolio into areas such as social innovation platforms (3DSWYM), data intelligence tools (EXALEAD, NETVIBES), natural resource management (GEOVIA), consumer applications (3DVIA), biosphere simulation (BIOVIA), and real-time visualization technologies (3DEXCITE).
Charlès was appointed vice-president of Dassault Systèmes’ board in May 2016. Since May 2015, he has co-chaired France’s “Industry of the Future” initiative aimed at accelerating digital transformation across industrial sectors. Furthermore, he holds the position of Honorary Chairman at La Fondation Dassault Systèmes.
His contributions to simulation-based engineering software were recognized with his election to the National Academy of Engineering in 2017.
Honors
Bernard Charlès holds the rank of Commander in the French Legion of Honour and is a member of the National Academy of Technologies of France. He is also an international member of the US National Academy of Engineering.
External links
- Detailed Biography
- Dassault’s Proposal to Transform Manufacturing, January 25, 2016
- Keynote Presentation: Embracing the Experience Economy at CeBIT Global Conferences, March 16, 2015
- How the Experience Economy is Revolutionizing Business Practices, Executive Insight, Prime Magazine, Autumn 2014
- Inside Silicon’s Core, Forbes, January 20, 2014
- Dassault Systèmes: A Narrative of Excellence, Interview with TV5Monde for the French Excellence Award, 2012
- Leadership Perspective: Bernard Charles, CEO of Dassault Systèmes, Financial Times, May 8, 2009
- Profile: A French Visionary with a Virtual Focus, The New York Times, January 6, 2006