Leadership Transition at DIAS: Thank You Bart, Welcome Back Simon
The Drone Industry Association Switzerland (DIAS) announces an important leadership transition within the organisation.
After a successful period serving as Secretary General, Bart Slager will be stepping down from his role to take up an exciting new position as Chief Transformation and Growth Officer at Technis. During his time with DIAS, Bart has played an instrumental role in supporting the association’s growth, strengthening its operations, and helping expand the reach of the Swiss drone ecosystem.
On behalf of the board and the wider DIAS community, we would like to thank Bart for his dedication, professionalism, and the energy he brought to the role. His contributions have helped position DIAS on a strong trajectory, and we wish him every success in this new chapter of his career.
“I truly valued working with the DIAS members and board. Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded our member base and positioned DIAS as a leading partner for the drone ecosystem, taking a proactive role in shaping both regulation and policy. Our commitment to supporting international visibility and export development has opened new doors for Swiss drone companies on the global stage.”
We are delighted to announce that Simon Johnson will succeed Bart as Secretary General. Simon returns to DIAS at a particularly exciting time for the organisation. As one of the original founders of the association, Simon played a key role in establishing DIAS and shaping its early vision.
Simon brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. A serial entrepreneur and technology strategist, he began his career with Hewlett-Packard after completing a BSc in Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at University College London. He later founded and led several technology ventures, including companies focused on satellite positioning and mobile content platforms.
Beyond his entrepreneurial work, Simon has been actively involved in the broader technology ecosystem, mentoring Swiss tech start-ups and advising initiatives connected to robotics and aerospace.
Simon’s deep knowledge of the drone and emerging technology sectors, combined with his long-standing connection to the Swiss innovation landscape, positions him perfectly to guide DIAS through its next phase of development.
“DIAS is on an amazing trajectory and I am excited to be back. I look forward to helping its members maximize the benefits of a maturing industry and celebrating next year the association’s ten years of achievements and growing impact.”
The board looks forward to continuing the strong trajectory DIAS has been on and to working closely with Simon as the organisation further strengthens Switzerland’s role as a global hub for drone innovation.
We thank Bart once again for his outstanding work and warmly welcome Simon back to the organisation he helped create.