LafargeHolcim names future CEO

The boards of directors of Lafarge and Holcim have agreed on who will be chief executive officer of the combined business following the proposed ‘merger of equals’

Eric Olsen – who is presently executive vice-president of Lafarge in charge of operations – will be in office as from the closing of the merger project.

The 51-year-old has been a member of the Lafarge’s executive committee since 2007 and his appointment was proposed by Lafarge chairman and CEO Bruno Lafont. He has dual American and French nationalities and has held senior positions in operations and in the fields of finance, human resources and strategy.

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.”

Lafont, who will be future LafargeHolcim co-chairman, 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.”