The boards of directors of Lafarge and Holcim have approved the appointment of Eric Olsen as future chief executive officer of LafargeHolcim. The appointment was proposed by Lafarge Chairman and CEO Bruno Lafont.
Currently Lafarge’s executive vice president of operations, Olsen has been a member of the company’s executive committee since 2007. Since joining Lafarge North America in 1999, he has successfully held senior positions in operations and in the fields of finance, human resources and strategy. Olsen also benefits from experience of driving change linked to the roles he has played in matters of integration and organization in multicultural environments.
Commenting on the appointment, Wolfgang Reitzle, chairman of the Holcim Board and future co-chairman of LafargeHolcim, said: “I very much welcome Eric Olsen as future CEO for LafargeHolcim. With his broad international experience and insights in key markets, he is best positioned to lead the combined company for the benefit of employees, shareholders and customers. Bruno and I will support Eric Olsen in creating a new joint culture that will be the key driver for our premier competitive position.”
Future LafargeHolcim co-chairman Lafont said: “Eric has been proposed as future CEO of LafargeHolcim both for his personal and professional qualities. He has a deep knowledge of our activities, clients and markets. He is driven, with energy and determination. He is a true leader, with the ability to bring the teams together to drive a strong value creation culture for our shareholders. I have every confidence in his ability to deliver the synergies announced and ensure the development and the success of LafargeHolcim.”
Olsen is a business graduate of the University of Colorado, a certified public accountant (Chicago), and holds a master of business administration from HEC Paris’ international business school. He is presently a board member of Cimpress N.V. (formerly Vistaprint N.V.), chairing its compensation committee and is a member of its audit committee. Olsen is also the chairman of the board for the American School of Paris.
