Lafarge EVP to be CEO of LafargeHolcim

Current Lafarge executive vice president for operations, Eric Olsen, has been named CEO-designate of the merged LafargeHolcim group. Lafarge chairman & CEO Bruno Lafont had previously been in line for the job, but stepped aside earlier this year following pressure from Holcim shareholders. Mr Lafont will be co-chair of the merged group.

Mr Olsen has been a member Lafarge’s Executive Committee since 2007, having joined the company in 1999. His first role was as senior vice president for strategy and development at Lafarge North America. In 2004 he was appointed CFO and senior vice president of Lafarge North America.

He is a business graduate from the University of Colorado, Certified Public Accountant (Chicago, USA), and holds a Master of Business Administration from HEC international business school in Paris.

Commenting on the appointment Holcim chairman and future co-chair of LafargeHolcim alongside Mr Lafont, Wolfgang Reitzle 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.”

Mr Lafont added, “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.”