AkzoNobel appoints new CEO
AkzoNobel, paints and coatings manufacturer, has announced Gregoire Poux-Guillaume as the company’s new chief executive officer, commencing 1 November 2022. Poux-Guillaume will succeed Thierry Vanlancker, who has been CEO and member of the board of management since 2017.
Poux-Guillaume’s previous roles include CEO of Sulzer, CEO of GE Grid Solutions (previously Alstom Grid) and senior managing director of CVC Capital Partners.
Poux-Guillaume says: “I’m honored to have been selected by AkzoNobel’s supervisory board to lead the company through its next stage of development. AkzoNobel is a leader in innovative and sustainable products and solutions; a truly global company with a proud heritage. I look forward to meeting my new colleagues and together building on the progress that has been achieved over the last few years.”
This news follows Akzonobel’s recent appointment of its new managing director of the marine, protective, and yacht coatings business unit.
Nils Smedegaard Andersen, chair of AkzoNobel’s supervisory board, says: “Gregoire Poux-Guillaume is an experienced business leader with a track record of delivering above-market growth and building strong teams. We’re happy and confident to have found the best match for AkzoNobel to continue our position as a frontrunner in our industry. His experience will provide a valuable perspective to help us with future growth and financial performance. I look forward to working with him.”
Smedegaard Andersen concludes: “We’re grateful for Thierry’s leadership, under which AkzoNobel successfully split off the specialty chemicals business and became a focused and competitive paints and coatings company, with strong profitability and significant returns to shareholders.”
The appointment of Gregoire Poux-Guillaume to AkzoNobel’s board of management is subject to shareholder approval, with a general meeting scheduled for September 2022.
