Global paints and coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel has announced that Gregoire Poux-Guillaume will become the company’s new CEO as of Nov. 1, 2022. He will succeed Thierry Vanlancker, who has been CEO and member of the company’s management board since 2017, when his term of office concludes.

“I’m honored to have been selected by AkzoNobel’s supervisory board to lead the company through its next stage of development,” Poux-Guillaume said. “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.”

25 Years of Experience

Gregoire, a 52-year-old French national, is an international business leader with 25 years of experience. According to the company, he has a distinguished track record of building successful, profitable businesses in challenging environments, along with accelerating business growth and improving margins.

His previous roles include CEO of Sulzer, CEO of GE Grid Solutions (previously Alstom Grid), and senior managing director of CVC Capital Partners.

“Gregoire Poux-Guillaume is an experienced business leader with a track record of delivering above market growth and building strong teams,” said Nils Smedegaard Andersen, chair of the company’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.”

Thierry Vanlancker Era

“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,” Smedegaard Andersen noted.

The appointment of Poux-Guillaume to AkzoNobel’s management board is subject to shareholder approval and, as such, will be on the agenda of a general meeting to be held in September 2022.

For more information, contact: AkzoNobel, www.akzonobel.com