Changes in Holcim board of directors’ leadership

24 February, 2023

Jan Jenisch has been proposed to succeed Beat Hess as chairman of Holcim

Beat Hess not seeking re-election; Jan Jenisch proposed as new chairman; new role for Hanne Sørensen

HOLCIM have announced that Beat Hess, chairman of the company since 2016, has decided not to seek re-election to the board of directors at the company’s AGM in May 2023. The board therefore intends to propose Jan Jenisch (pictured) as the new chairman. Subject to a vote at the AGM, he will succeed Mr Hess and continue as chief executive officer of Holcim for a limited duration.

The board of directors says it sees this double mandate as a transition period to safeguard Holcim’s current transformation and the fast-paced execution of its Strategy 2025. The double mandate is for a limited duration with a CEO successor to be announced within the next 12 months.

Mr Hess, who was elected to the Holcim board of directors in 2010 and has served as its chairman since 2016, said: ‘It has been a true honour for me to serve on Holcim’s board of directors for the past 13 years. Looking at the strength of the company today, I am proud of Holcim’s successful transformation, record results and, most of all, the passion of its 60,000 people around the world, who make this possible.

‘With the company well on its way to becoming the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, I have decided to not seek re-election to the board this year. The board firmly believes that Jan’s exceptional leadership and extensive experience make him the right candidate for the chairman role to continue the company’s fast-paced transformation.’

Thanking Mr Hess for his outstanding leadership as chairman for the past seven years, the board of directors said that during his tenure he had confidently led the company through challenging times and played an instrumental role in ensuring Holcim’s successful transformation, and was leaving the company in a strong position for long-term success.

Meanwhile, to maintain rigorous board accountability, the board of directors is implementing additional corporate governance measures with immediate effect, including the appointment of Holcim vice-chairperson Hanne Sørensen to the newly created role of lead independent director.

Ms Sørensen said: ‘I am deeply honoured to become lead independent director at Holcim, a company whose mission to decarbonize building is close to my heart. In my new role, my goals are to ensure continued strong checks and balances and a successful CEO succession, while supporting Holcim’s fast-paced transformation. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, management and shareholders to continue our success.’