Keolis Group CEO International Bernard Tabary Dies

Keolis Group CEO International Bernard Tabary died Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Keolis Group recently announced that Bernard Tabary, CEO in charge of international business, died suddenly on the morning of Sunday, March 19.

Tabary joined Keolis Group in 2005 as Executive Vice President in charge of Eastern France and Ile-de-France. In 2007, he was appointed Managing Director of Keolis Lyon, the Keolis Group’s subsidiary in charge of operating and maintaining Lyon’s public transport network. Tabary was appointed CEO International in 2011.

Tabary, who was a graduate of Rouen Business School, started his career with the Bolloré group in 1983, where he held several management roles in the Transport and Logistics branch, including Vice Chairman of Marketing, Quality and Information Systems (1989 – 1994), Managing Director Australia and New Zealand (1994 – 1995) and Director Africa Line (1997 – 2000).

In 2000, he was appointed Managing Director of the Environment Division of Plastic Omnium, an automotive equipment manufacturer.

Tabary was also President of the Australia France Business Association, a member of the AREP (a SNCF subsidiary) Board of Directors, and had recently been elected to the UITP International Association of Public Transport’s Public Directors.

He is survived by his wife, children, and grandson.

“Bernard was massively appreciated by our colleagues, partners and clients with whom he worked tirelessly all around the world,” said Keolis Group Chairwoman and CEO Marie-Ange Debon. “Renowned for his enthusiasm for public transport and encyclopedic knowledge of the sector, Bernard was also defined by his extraordinary energy and humanity. His one-of-a-kind personality, open-mindedness and understanding of different cultures have been of immeasurable value for Keolis, where he has left a profound mark and will remain a reference for us all. Our grief is immense, and our heartfelt thoughts are with Bernard’s family and loved ones.”

“Bernard’s commitment to UITP was long-standing, and the contributions he made to our association will remain with us,” said UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani. “We will miss his impressive enthusiasm, outstanding knowledge, and his passion for growing public transport around the world. His detailed expertise led him to be a well-respected friend across the sector, and his passion for urban mobility never faded. On behalf of UITP, I would like to pay great tribute to Bernard’s incredible legacy, and to share our heartfelt condolences with his family and loved ones.”