AkzoNobel Announces New CEO

Gregoire Poux-Guilaume (pictured) has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of AkzoNobel effective November 1, 2022. Photo courtesy of AkzoNobel.

AkzoNobel (Amsterdam, Netherlands) announced that Gregoire Poux-Guilaume will become the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective November 1, 2022. He will succeed Thierry Vanlancker, who has been CEO and member of the Board of Management since 2017, and whose term of office is coming to an end. 

A French national, Poux-Guilaume is an international business leader with 5 years of experience. He has a distinguished track record of building successful, profitable businesses in challenging environments, accelerating business growth and improving margins. Previous role held by Poux-Guilaume include CEO of Sulzer and GE Grid Solutions (previously Alstom Grid), as well as Senior Marketing Manager of CVC Capital Partners. 

“Gregoire Poux-Guilaume is an exceptional business leader with a track record of delivering above market growth and building strong teams,” says Nils Smedegaard Andersen, Chair of AkzoNobel’s Supervisory Board. “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 walking with him.” 

“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,” adds Smedegaard Andersen.

“I’m honored to have been selected by AkzoNobel’s Supervisory Board to lead the company through its next stage of development,” says Poux-Guilaume. “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.” 

The appointment of Poux-Guilaume to AkzoNobel’s Board of Management is subject to shareholder approval and, as such, will be on the agenda of an Extraordinary General Meeting to be scheduled in September this year.

Source: AkzoNobel, www.akzonobel.com