New CEO for Holcim

Change in Group leadership

The change of CEO, which was announced in September 2011 with effect from the beginning of February 2012, was part of a generational change in the Group’s leadership. Markus Akermann, who has been with Holcim since 1978, was elected to the Executive Committee in 1993, and took over the function of CEO in 2002. Under his leadership the Group experienced considerable growth.

Through important acquisitions Holcim was more clearly positioned towards future-oriented markets, and as part of the "Twin Leg" strategy, the aggregates segment was expanded. On top of this there was the "Passion for Safety" initiative, which put workplace health and safety at the center of the whole Group, as well as the great efforts to strengthen sustainable development at the Group.

Markus Akermann will remain a member of the Board of Directors. The Board and the Executive Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his successful efforts throughout the years.

On 1 February 2012, Bernard Fontana, 50, took over as CEO from Markus Akermann. He began his career at Groupe SNPE, where he was a member of the Executive Committee from 2001 to 2004. He subsequently moved to the steel company ArcelorMittal where, as a member of the Executive Committee from 2006 to 2010, he was initially responsible for the overall automotive business, and subsequently for Human Resources as well as the alliance with Nippon Steel. Since 2010 Bernard Fontana has been CEO of Aperam, a listed company domiciled in Luxembourg which was spun off from ArcelorMittal and which produces stainless steel in Europe and overseas.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/29022012/ew-ceo-for-holcim/