At its 2025 Annual General Meeting, celebrated in Barcelona, Spain, the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) appointed Claire Valentin, Chief Strategy Officer at Exosens, as a new member of EPIC’s Board of Directors. Claire Valentin’s strategic expertise will 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 Graduate School with a degree in Engineering and Optics in 1990, Claire spent 10 years at the French MoD 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.
“I am both honored and delighted to join EPIC’s Board of Directors,” said Claire. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow board members, combining our diverse expertise to drive innovation and address the commercial challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the photonics sector”.
The second addition to EPIC’s Board of Directors announced at EPIC’s 2025 Annual General Meeting 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, Maria Chiara Carrozza brings an impressive blend of academic, political, and industry expertise to the EPIC Board of Directors.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Maria Chiara Carrozza to EPIC’s Board of Directors,” said Carlos Lee, Director General of EPIC. “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.
Basil Garabet, President of EPIC, 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 2007-2013 she was rector of SSSA, and between 2013-2014, 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.
Maria Chiara said: “I am honored to join EPIC’s Board of Directors and to have the opportunity to bring my commitment to fostering scientific progress, supporting industry growth, and strengthening the bridge between research and practical application for the benefit of EPIC members. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration between academia and industry, between startups and established leaders, and between policymakers and innovators to drive impactful change”.
The whole team of EPIC wants also to thank the commitment of Samuel Bucourt, CEO at Imagine Optic and Christian Bosshard, Managing Director at Swissphotonics for their commitment during the past 6 years.
From left to right: Samuel Bocourt, Claire Valentin, Christian Bosshard, Nicoletta Casanova, Maria Chiara Carrozza, Basil Garabet, Shahida Imani, Adam Piotrowski, Ulrike Helfferich and Carlos Lee.
