At its 2025 annual general meeting, held in Barcelona, Spain, the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) appointed Claire Valentin, chief strategy officer at Exosens, as a new member of the association’s board of directors. Claire Valentin’s strategic expertise is to strengthen EPIC’s connections to high-growth photonics sectors – defense, space, medical, and industrial applications – and help EPIC members navigate commercialization and business expansion.

“We are delighted to welcome Claire Valentin to EPIC's board of directors," said Carlos Lee, EPIC’s director general. “Her M&A experience will provide EPIC members with strategic insights on growth, investment, and partnerships strengthening EPIC’s ability to support members in navigating business expansion, funding, and acquisition strategies.” Basil Garabet, president of EPIC, added, “Claire’s presence on the board is a huge asset for EPIC, especially for members looking to scale, attract investors, or explore strategic exits.”

After graduating from the Institut d’Optique with a degree in engineering and optics in 1990, Claire spent ten years at the French Ministry of Defense managing R&D projects in electronics and optics. She then held senior marketing positions at Alcatel Optronics, Thales, Essilor, Cimulec, and Sofradir – now Lynred. In 2021, she was appointed chief strategy officer at Photonis – rebranded as Exosens in 2023 – where she has since played a key role in M&A activities, helping expand the company’s presence in the night vision, scientific detection, nuclear instrumentation, and industrial control markets.

The second addition to the board is Maria Chiara Carrozza, president of CNR, the Italian national research council. Having served as the Italian Minister for Education and Research, and since 2021 as president of the Italian research council, Carrozza brings an impressive blend of academic, political, and industry expertise.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Maria Chiara Carrozza,” said Lee. “As CNR President, she oversees a major research body that interacts with companies in deep tech, materials science, and photonics. Her experience spans optics, photonics, and their applications in healthcare, AI, and robotics, which aligns well with EPIC’s focus on advancing photonic technologies in multiple industries.”

Garabet added, “Maria Chiara has extensive connections within European and global research institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers – a background that will help EPIC strengthen its voice in European innovation funding and regulations.”

In 1994, Carrozza received a PhD in engineering from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA), and since 2006, she has been a full professor of Biomedical Engineering and Robotics. From 2007 to 2013 she was rector of SSSA, and between 2013 and 2014, she served as Italian Minister for Education and Research. In 2021, Carrozza was appointed President of the Italian National Research Council (CNR),  one of Europe’s most influential research institutions, and in  2023, she became a member of an expert group entrusted to support the interim evaluation of the European Union's Horizon Europe program.

Further reading: EPIC welcomes new member to its board of directors, wileyindustrynews.com, 17 April 2024