In an emailed press release, Belzona (Harrogate, United Kingdom), a global designer and manufacturer of polymeric repair and protection systems, announced the appointments of Charli Yu Walton and Fred Lu as corporate development director and technical director, respectively. The appointments follow the establishment of Belzona Molecular Technology (Nanjing) Ltd. in 2019 as a wholly foreign owned enterprise (WFOE), marking the next significant step in the company’s international expansion strategy.
Both Walton and Lu are “home grown” employees who have been promoted internally through the ranks. These promotions are the most recent of several home grown directorship appointments and demonstrate Belzona’s ongoing investment in its staff.
Originally from Harbin, China, Walton joined Belzona’s marketing team in 2011. Walton, who has acquired considerable experience in B2B marketing, will be responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies to consolidate and accelerate the company’s growth plans in China. In addition, she will be providing the nexus between the China-based company, Chinese distributors, and Belzona’s various international headquarters.
“I am delighted and proud to be appointed to the first board of directors of Belzona’s new Chinese company,” says Walton. “China has, for many years, been a significant market for Belzona and the formation of the new company demonstrates Belzona’s commitment to growth in the region.”
“Through our great brands, products, and distributorships, we bring cutting-edge solutions to our customers in China,” she continues. “We have set an exciting growth agenda for our brands, where innovation, digital marketing excellence, sustainability, and collaboration play a crucial role. I am looking forward to the new challenges this ambitious agenda will bring, as well as working closely with our distributors to bring these plans into fruition.”
As for Lu, he will continue to lead Chinese business from the technical perspective and, in light of his new role as technical director, will head up the development of Belzona’s training program and technical service support in the region.
“I am proud to be a member of the Belzona family and am honored to take on this new role,” says Lu. “Belzona has unrivalled experience and expertise globally. Our new company is a technical hub, providing extensive and customized training programs to our distributors and customers in China. I will keep working hard and do my best to ensure that we achieve our goals and fulfill our great potential in the Chinese market.”
Kimberly Svendsen, Belzona’s corporate development director, welcomed the new appointments.
“Belzona is a brand with an incredible heritage and track record for quality and innovation,” says Svendsen. “China is one of our key strategic growth regions. We took the decision to appoint two new directors to the board in China to ensure that we continue to deliver the highest level of technical and marketing support to our distributors, as well as providing the most cost-effective solutions to our clients. With a strong leadership and talented team, I believe our business in China will take a significant leap in the upcoming years.”