Groupe CTT Announces the Appointment of Ms. Valérie Bonnardel-Vacqué as President and Chief Executive Officer
Saint-Hyacinthe, June 15, 2026 — Mr. Nicolas Juillard, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groupe CTT, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Valérie Bonnardel-Vacqué as President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe CTT. She officially assumes her duties today, succeeding Mr. Olivier Vermeersch, who has led Groupe CTT since 2019.
Holding a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Lille and a Master’s degree in Engineering from École Centrale de Marseille, Ms. Bonnardel-Vacqué has built a distinguished career in innovation, technology transfer, business development, and strategic partnerships between the research community and industry. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship and Investments at Axelys.
Throughout her career in Canada and Europe, she has contributed to the development of collaborations among research organizations, businesses, and innovation ecosystems, particularly in the fields of advanced technologies, applied research, and the commercialization of high-potential innovations.
“The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome a leader with extensive experience in innovation, strategic development, and partnership building. Ms. Bonnardel-Vacqué will continue to drive Groupe CTT’s growth and enhance its visibility throughout Quebec, Canada, and internationally,” said Mr. Nicolas Juillard, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The Board would also like to recognize the significant contribution of Mr. Olivier Vermeersch, who dedicated more than 35 years to Groupe CTT, including the last seven years as CEO. Under his leadership, the organization experienced sustained growth, significantly strengthened its technological infrastructure, expanded its applied research activities, and further established itself as a leading innovation center in the fields of technical textiles, geosynthetics, and advanced materials.
Groupe CTT begins this transition during a period of growth and development marked by several major initiatives, including the deployment of new technological infrastructure and the expansion of its activities in Quebec and internationally.
To ensure a smooth transition and to support certain strategic initiatives, Mr. Vermeersch will remain involved with Groupe CTT on a part-time basis for a period of one year.
About Groupe CTT
Affiliated with Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, Groupe CTT is an internationally recognized College Centre for Technology Transfer (CCTT) specializing in technical textiles, advanced materials, and geosynthetics, notably through its SAGEOS brand. For more than 40 years, Groupe CTT has supported companies through innovation, applied research, prototyping, and specialized testing, leveraging its ISO 17025-accredited laboratories and a multidisciplinary team of more than 70 employees.
Groupe CTT — At the Heart of the Matter.
