SES has announced the appointment of Elisabeth (Lisa) Pataki as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective 16 June 2025. She will succeed Sandeep Jalan, who has held the role since May 2020 and will step down on 31 July 2025.
Pataki has over 20 years of experience with leading-listed aerospace and defence organisations. Her strategic business transformation and investment planning expertise led her to join SES, where she has a background in delivering financial performance and operational efficiency.
Pataki will work closely with Jalan to ensure a smooth transition in the coming weeks. The SES Board expressed gratitude to Jalan for his five-year term of service, during which he assisted in constructing the company’s balance sheet, improving execution, and delivering decent returns to shareholders. SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh stated:
“We thank Sandeep for his outstanding leadership. He has played a vital role in SES’s transformation and financial growth. We’re delighted to welcome Lisa, whose deep experience in finance, M&A integration, and operational strategy will further reinforce our leadership team.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Jalan noted: “It’s been a privilege to work with such a talented team. I’m proud of our accomplishments and will continue supporting SES’s journey.”
Pataki added: “I’m thrilled to be joining SES and excited to work with the team to help shape the company’s future.”
Pataki joins from Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3Harris company, where she led initiatives to boost profitability through streamlined operations and capital allocation. Previously, as Group CFO at Comet Group (2020–2023), she delivered a significant EBITDA margin improvement. She also spent a decade at RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), holding key finance roles and leading the integration of Applied Signal Technologies—one of Raytheon’s largest acquisitions.
Her appointment marks a new chapter in SES’s strategic and financial leadership as the company continues its mission to lead in global satellite communications.
