Comexposium has announced the appointment of Jean-Gabriel Mollard as Acting Director of SIAL Paris, as the international food industry event moves forward with preparations for its 2026 edition.
The appointment follows Audrey Ashworth’s decision to pursue a new career path after eight years at Comexposium, including four and a half years as Director of SIAL Paris. According to Comexposium, Mollard will take on the role to ensure immediate continuity during preparations for the next edition of the trade show.
Jean-Gabriel Mollard is currently Director of Marketing and Communications, and brings an in-depth knowledge of SIAL Paris, its teams and its broader ecosystem. His experience also includes overseeing marketing for the SIAL Network’s 12 trade shows, giving him a cross-functional view of the group’s global food and beverage events.
Comexposium said the appointment forms part of its strategy to strengthen synergies between events in its Food & Beverage portfolio, which are now grouped within a dedicated division headed by Rodolphe Lameyse. The strategy aims to support the growth of the group’s brands and create greater value for exhibitors, partners and visitors.
The group also confirmed that the schedule and priorities for SIAL Paris 2026 remain unchanged, underlining the importance of continuity as the event enters a key phase of preparation.
Jean-Gabriel Mollard said he had worked closely in recent years on preparing and developing SIAL Paris, adding that this experience enables him to take on the new responsibility with confidence. He said the teams would build on the current momentum to deliver a strong 2026 edition for exhibitors, partners and visitors.
Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Comexposium’s Food & Beverage division, said SIAL Paris is approaching this new phase with determination and high standards, stressing that the event will continue to serve the entire agri-food sector.
Lameyse also underlined that SIAL Paris must continue to play a key role in supporting the industry as it responds to challenges related to competitiveness, exports and processing.
SIAL Paris 2026 is expected to bring together 8,000 exhibitors and showcase 400,000 products, reinforcing its position as a major business generator for the food industry. The event is part of the SIAL Network, one of the world’s largest networks of trade fairs dedicated to food and drink.
The next edition will be held from 17 to 21 October 2026 at Paris Nord Villepinte, bringing together food manufacturers, exporters, importers, retailers, distributors, foodservice professionals and decision-makers from across the global food ecosystem.
For Egyptian and Arab food companies, the leadership update comes as preparations build for SIAL Paris 2026, a key international platform for companies seeking to expand exports, meet global buyers and strengthen their presence in competitive food markets. The Egyptian Pavilion, organized by the Food Export Council for Food Industries, is expected to provide an important gateway for Egyptian food exporters to present their products to buyers from Arab and international markets.
