After eight years at the Comexposium organizing group, including four and a half years as director of SIAL Paris, Audrey Ashworth has decided to pursue a new career path. Jean-Gabriel Mollard (pictured above), currently SIAL’s director of marketing and communications, will serve as acting director to ensure continuity during preparations for the 2026 edition of the trade show, which is set for October 17-21.
This appointment is part of Comexposium’s strategy to strengthen synergies between events in its Food & Beverage portfolio, which are now grouped within a dedicated division headed by Rodolphe Lameyse, to support the growth of its brands and create greater value for exhibitors, partners and visitors.
“Audrey has supported SIAL Paris with dedication and conviction for several years, and on behalf of the entire Group, I would like to sincerely thank her for her work and for her contribution to the growth of this iconic brand. We wish her every success in her new projects,” said CEO Lameyse.
“In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Audrey Ashworth on preparing and developing SIAL Paris, which means I’m able to take on this new responsibility with confidence and peace of mind,” said Mollard. “Working with all of our fully committed teams, we will build on this momentum to create a magnificent 2026 event for our exhibitors, partners, and visitors.”
“With just a few months to go before the show, we are approaching this new phase with determination and high
standards. I know I can count on the dedication and expertise of the new director and his teams to make this
upcoming edition into a major event serving the entire agri-food sector,” said Lameyse. “We are continuing to follow the same course as SIAL Paris must continue to fulfill its role as a key driver in supporting the industry as it addresses challenges related to competitiveness, exports, and processing.”
The upcoming show will mark the 61th running of the biennial exhibition in Paris. The last edition, in 2024, was judged a resounding success by all accounts. Its dedicated frozen food section in Hall 5A was buzzing non-stop, as show goers came to see, sample and buy new products and renew orders for established lines. In all, approximately 7,500 exhibitors were on hand at the B2B extravaganza, which welcomed upwards of 8,000 top buyers and 285,000 visitors to their stands. Exhibitors from 127 countries occupying approximately 270,000 square meters of space showcased over 400,000 products.
– Reported by John Saulnier
