AkzoNobel says Gregoire Poux-Guillaume will be its next CEO

Gregoire Poux-Guillaume will succeed Thierry Vanlancker as AkzoNobel’s new chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 1, 2022. 

Poux-Guillaume, 52, a French national, is an international business leader with 25 years of experience. He has a distinguished track record of building successful, profitable businesses in challenging environments, accelerating business growth and improving margins. 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. 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 working with him,” said Nils Smedegaard Andersen, chairman of AkzoNobel’s Supervisory Board.

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

His appointment is subject to shareholder approval and, as such, will be on the agenda of an Extraordinary General Meeting to be scheduled in September 2022.

AkzoNobel, based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, creates paints and performance coatings for both industry and consumers worldwide.

In related news, AkzoNobel announced on July 6 that it has reached an agreement to acquire the wheel liquid coatings business of Lankwitzer Lackfabrik GmbH. Completion, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected before the end of 2022. Lankwitzer’s Rims and Wheel business operates out of a manufacturing site in Leipzig, Germany. Its products are approved for use by car manufacturers such as Daimler, Audi, VW, Opel, Fiat and Renault.