Valeo has announced the appointment of Jean-Luc Terrasse as Chief Executive Officer of its Light Division and Group Executive Vice President, effective July 1, 2026.
The appointment was made by Christophe Périllat, Chief Executive Officer of Valeo. In his new role, Terrasse will report directly to Périllat and will serve as a member of the company’s Executive Committee.
Jean-Luc Terrasse brings more than three decades of international leadership experience across manufacturing, operations and industrial management. Throughout his career, he has successfully led major industrial and corporate operations across Europe and South America, building extensive expertise in operational excellence, business transformation and global leadership.
At Valeo, Terrasse will be responsible for leading the Light Division through its next phase of growth, with a focus on strengthening financial performance, accelerating innovation and supporting the company’s long-term strategic objectives in advanced automotive lighting technologies.
“The LIGHT division plays a key role in our strategic plan ELEVATE 2028, through its road map towards profitable growth and the promise of a safer mobility. Jean-Luc has extensive knowledge of the market and a deep knowledge of Valeo’s culture and industrial excellence,” said Christophe Périllat, CEO of Valeo. “I am fully confident that in his new role as CEO of the Valeo Light Division and Group Executive Vice President, he will continue driving international growth and be invaluable as we continue to pioneer the future of automotive security and comfort.”
“On behalf of the Group, I warmly thank Maurizio Martinelli for his 26 years of dedication to Valeo, notably as CEO of Valeo Light Division. Maurizio played a key role in building our technological leadership. We thank him for his exceptional impact and wish him a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”
Jean-Luc Terrasse began his career at Valeo in 1989 and has built an extensive international track record through various senior executive roles. His expertise spans operations, industrial management, product development, and commercial leadership across multiple Valeo business units, including Engine Management Systems, Body Electronics , and Special Lighting Products. became Vice President of Valeo’s Wiper Systems product group in January 2016. In between his tenures at Valeo, he also gained valuable outside experience working for Alstom Grid, Johnson Controls Automotive, and Safran.
He holds an engineering degree from Centrale Lyon ENISE.
