AkzoNobel has announced a new structure for its Executive Committee. This change is designed to drive operational excellence,
increase customer focus, and build further momentum and speed into the
organization.
In the new Executive Committee the
following roles will continue:
• Chief executive officer
(Thierry Vanlancker)
• Chief financial officer
(Maëlys Castella)
• General counsel (Sven Dumoulin)
• Chief human resources officer
(Marten Booisma).
Changes to the Executive Committee fol-
lowing the new set-up:
• Chief operating officer (Ruud Joosten,
former head of Decorative Paints)
• Integrated supply chain leader
(David Allen, elevated to Executive
Committee)
• In addition, Werner Fuhrmann will re-
turn to AkzoNobel in the role of head
of Specialty Chemicals
Effective immediately, Ruud Joosten
was named chief operating officer (COO)
Paints & Coatings. Working closely with
CEO Thierry Vanlancker, the COO will lead
the Performance Coatings and Decorative
Paints businesses. He will be responsible for
accelerating growth, the execution of the
company’s strategy, and the performance to
deliver on the agreed targets.
In addition, the direct responsibility for
the Paints & Coatings operations – includ-
ing all manufacturing, supply chain and
logistics, site management, health & safety
(HSE&S), and procurement will now fall
under the responsibility of the Integrated
Supply Chain Leader, David Allen.
“We aim to build on the successful
foundation of operational excellence
that AkzoNobel has laid over the past
years,” said Thierry Vanlancker, CEO.
“With Ruud Joosten stepping up as
our new COO and David Allen joining
our Executive Committee in the role of
Integrated Supply Chain Leader, this
new Executive Committee will be faster
to drive integrated business planning
and quick decision making. It will also
enable optimal alignment between busi-
ness needs and operational and supply
chain delivery.”
“I am also delighted to welcome
Werner Fuhrmann back to head up
Specialty Chemicals and lead on the
separation. His unique knowledge of
the company and industry experience,
having worked for almost 40 years
at AkzoNobel, including running the
Specialty Chemicals Business prior to
my joining last year, make him an ideal
person to lead the separation. It’s great to
have him back on board.”
The Supervisory Board has desig-
nated Vanlancker as CEO/Chairman
of the Board of Management, with full
power and authority as a member of
the Board of Management, in accor-
dance with the articles of association
of Akzo Nobel N.V. which provides for
such designation until formal CEO ap-
pointment by shareholders.
Sherwin-Williams Names
West Color Marketing
Manager
Sherwin-Williams, through its Industrial
Wood Coatings Division, has appointed
Lauren West to the position of color
marketing manager. She will be based at
the Sherwin-Williams Global Color and
Design Center (GCDC) in Greensboro,
North Carolina, a full-service design
studio, application center and techni-
cal lab, serving the wood industry with
customized support for every step of the
finishing process.
“Lauren’s extensive background in
furniture and interior merchandising,
design, education and marketing will be
a valuable asset to our wood finishing
operation and in our customers’ busi-
nesses. We are excited to welcome her to
our growing team of experts dedicated to
providing industry-leading finishing solu-
tions,” said Dennis Karnstein, president
and general manager, Sherwin-Williams,
Industrial Wood Coatings Division.
West will be responsible for global
color, design and marketing efforts for
the kitchen cabinets, furniture, building
products, flooring, architectural millwork
and specialty wood product market seg-
ments. Along with a team of color stylists,
she will oversee color trend and lifestyle
monitoring, research and analysis to as-
sist customers around the world as they
select coatings to optimize retail appeal.
“I’m thrilled to join Sherwin-Williams
because of the company’s commitment
to ensuring customers gain a competi-
tive edge by identifying and achieving the
right color and finish for their products,”
said West. “I look forward to bringing my
passion for interior design to help design-
ers and manufacturers realize their full
market potential.”
West began her career in furniture
and interiors as a showroom/gallery in-
terior designer for manufacturer Rowe
Furniture, a buyer at Wayside Furniture
and a merchandise manager for Bassett
Furniture, where she reimagined, renovat-
ed and re-merchandised corporate show-
rooms, stores and galleries. At the same
time, West also started her own business,
Interior Design Services, LLC, where she
consulted for residential and commercial
projects. For 15 years, West directed mer-
chandising, design, education and com-
munication efforts for Natuzzi Group.
Prior to joining Sherwin-Williams, West
AkzoNobel Announces New Structure
for Executive Committee
ThierryCastella
