James Desban
About James Desban
James Desban serves as the Operations Director for Faurecia Seating EMEA, where he has worked since 2018. He has extensive experience in the automotive seating industry, having held various leadership roles within Faurecia across multiple regions and managing significant operations and financial responsibilities.
Current Role at Faurecia
James Desban serves as the Operations Director for Faurecia Seating EMEA since 2018. In this role, he manages operations across six plants located in Romania, Portugal, Morocco, and Tunisia. He has P&L accountability for a product line with a turnover of 450 million euros. His responsibilities include overseeing business acquisitions and ensuring operational excellence for the seat covers product line.
Previous Experience at Faurecia
James Desban has held several key positions at Faurecia prior to his current role. He was the Vice President of the Regional Business Unit for the US & Canada from 2013 to 2014. He also served as the General Manager for Faurecia South Africa from 2014 to 2017, overseeing four plants, a turnover of 240 million euros, and managing 1,500 employees. Additionally, he was the India General Manager for Faurecia Automotive Seating from 2005 to 2010 and worked as the RSA R&D Director from 2000 to 2004.
Education and Professional Development
James Desban studied at ESTACA - Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile, where he achieved an Ingenieur degree in Automobile and Aeronautics from 1989 to 1991. He has also pursued leadership skills development at INSEAD since 1999 and is studying General Management at ESCP Business School, focusing on strategic and leadership skills.
Industry Collaborations
In his role at Faurecia, James Desban works closely with major European OEMs, including the VW Group, BMW, Daimler, PSA, and RSA. His experience in managing operations and business acquisitions has positioned him as a key player in the automotive seating sector, contributing to the company's strategic partnerships within the industry.