BRUSSELS/SEOUL, December 3, 2025 – La Conseil Hydrogène – the world’s largest and only CEO-led hydrogen alliance – is proud to today announce François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide, as its new Co-Chair. He joins Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, at a defining moment for the global hydrogen industry.
Hydrogen has entered its delivery phase. With USD 110 billion in committed investment across more than 500 projects past financial investment decision (FID), globally, and a pipeline maturation cycle mirroring early stages of sectors like solar and wind, the industry is emerging stronger, more focused and ready to scale. In this next phase, the Council’s leadership will focus on the critical priorities including demand, infrastructure, and standards.
Air Liquide, a founding member of the Hydrogen Council, has over 60 years of expertise driving the industry’s upskilling and scaling up. As a global leader, the Group masters the complete hydrogen value chain, including low-carbon and renewable production, liquefaction, storage, and distribution. Air Liquide is focused on implementing strategic, large-scale projects in key markets to accelerate the decarbonization of industry and mobility.
François Jackow, CEO of Air Liquide and new Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council, said: “It is a great honor to step into the role of Co-Chair at this decisive moment for the Hydrogen Council and the industry. In a world defined by instability and fragmentation, I am convinced that industry-led, united coalitions like ours can truly make a difference. I am looking forward to working together with this great collective of 140 member companies to unlock hydrogen’s full potential as a core pillar of the global energy transition.”
François Jackow takes over from Sanjiv Lamba, CEO of Linde plc., who said: “Serving as Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council has been a privilege. Over the past two and a half years, I’ve seen how powerful this CEO-led coalition can be when it speaks with one clear voice. Together, we put hydrogen firmly on the global agenda – building confidence among policymakers and investors and moving real projects into delivery. What has stood out most is the level of collaboration across companies and governments. As a founding member, Linde has seen firsthand how this unity can turn ambition into real progress. There is still work ahead to unlock demand, but I am confident the Council and its members will continue driving the impact needed as the industry enters its next phase of scale.”
Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group and Co-Chair of the Hydrogen Council, said: "On behalf of the Council, I’d like to thank Sanjiv Lamba and his team at Linde for their dedication and contribution to our shared mission. We warmly welcome François Jackow as the new Co-Chair, and we look forward to working together as we enter this next phase of hydrogen build-out. Together with François and all our members, I am confident we will drive tangible progress – working closely with governments to enable effective policy frameworks and unlock the full potential of a broader hydrogen economy.”
Ivana Jemelkova, PDG du Conseil de l'hydrogène, said: "As a global CEO-led initiative, the Hydrogen Council has greatly benefitted from strong leadership, which continues to guide us as we move into the next chapter focused on delivery. We look forward to working with our members to accelerate deployment and unlock commercial-scale demand by 2030.”
The leadership change took place at the Hydrogen Council’s CEO Summit in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. More than 200 CEOs and senior executives from the world’s leading businesses and investors in hydrogen have gathered in South Korea to align on action needed to accelerate hydrogen deployment and unlock commercial-scale demand by 2030.
À propos du Conseil de l'hydrogène
The Hydrogen Council is the world’s largest and only CEO-led hydrogen alliance, bringing together some 140 companies from 20+ countries across the entire hydrogen value chain. Representing some $9 trillion in market capitalization, 7.1 million in FTEs and some $6.4 trillion in revenues, the Council provides a unique, cross-sector platform for global leaders to align strategy, accelerate collaboration and shape the development of a globally integrated hydrogen sector.
The Council’s mission is to make the world cleaner, more secure and resilient, with hydrogen as a critical contributor and enabler. By providing clarity on the path to scale, fostering supportive policy and regulatory frameworks, and building partnerships needed to advance hydrogen deployment worldwide, the Council acts a market catalyst and the key voice of industry.
Pour en savoir plus visitez www.hydrogencouncil.com and follow the Hydrogen Council on LinkedIn.
Demandes des médias
Joanna Damerell, responsable des communications, Conseil de l'hydrogène
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