Holcim has announced that Beat Hess, chairman of the company since 2016, has decided not to seek re-election to the board of directors at the AGM in May 2023.
The board intends to propose Jan Jenisch as the new chairman at the AGM. Subject to the vote, he will succeed as the chairman and continue as CEO of Holcim for a limited duration. The board of directors sees this double mandate as a transition period to safeguard Holcim’s current transformation and the fast-paced execution of its Strategy 2025. This double mandate is for a limited duration and a CEO successor will be announced within the next 12 months.
Beat Hess was elected to the Holcim board of directors in 2010 and has served as its chairman since 2016.
“It has been a true honor for me to serve on Holcim’s board of directors for the past 13 years,” said Hess. “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.”
The board sincerely thanked Beat Hess for his outstanding leadership as chairman for the past seven years. It stated that, during his tenure, he confidently led the company through challenging times and played an instrumental role in ensuring Holcim’s successful transformation. With this year’s record results, Beat Hess leaves the company in a strong position for long-term success.
To continue strong independent checks and balances, the board is implementing additional corporate governance measures with immediate effect.
This includes the creation of a lead independent director role, entrusting Hanne Sørensen, Holcim’s vice chairperson, with this responsibility.
Sørensen commented: “I am deeply honoured to become lead independent director at Holcim, a company, whose mission to decarbonise 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.”
