In an emailed press release, world-leading coatings company Hempel A/S (Copenhagen, Denmark) announced that Michael Hansen will succeed Lars Petersson as group president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company as of October 15. Petersson leaves Hempel to take the CEO position at VELUX Group (Hørsholm, Denmark).
Since joining Hempel in May 2017 as chief commercial officer, Hansen has delivered remarkable results as a central driver of the company’s global transformation. Currently, he is part of Hempel’s executive group management as its executive vice president, energy and infrastructure.
“Michael Hansen has extensive knowledge of Hempel, its markets and customers,” says Richard Sand, chair of the board of directors of Hempel A/S. “With his great leadership qualities and the strong results he has delivered, Michael has shown that he is the perfect successor to take over as CEO and continue Hempel’s growth journey. I am very pleased that the natural choice of a new group president and CEO is an existing top leader within Hempel. The board and I look forward to continuing the great collaboration with Michael and his executive management team.”
“I am truly honored to be appointed CEO of Hempel — a unique, global company,” says Hansen. “With more than 7,500 dedicated colleagues serving customers in more than 100 countries, a strong value-based culture, a sharp customer focus, and strong social engagement, Hempel is a company where we all work together to deliver on our strategy and to reach the ambitious goals we have set ourselves.”
“We will continue our strategic journey, Double Impact, with the purpose of shaping a brighter future through sustainable coating solutions,” Hansen adds. “I am proud to be leading a company which makes a real, positive impact on the society we are a part of, both directly through our products and solutions, and by creating opportunities for our colleagues around the world.”
“I would like to thank the board of directors for the trust they have shown in me and I look forward to taking on the new role and contributing to strengthening the position of Hempel in the coatings industry, together with the rest of the executive group management and our talented colleagues,” concludes Hansen.
Outgoing Hempel A/S CEO Petersson is expected to assume the position of president and CEO of VELUX Group on November 1. Until October 14, Petersson will continue his engaged daily work for Hempel and contribute to an optimal hand-over to Hansen and the executive group management.
“The board would like to thank Lars for a truly exceptional and dedicated effort,” say Sand. “Lars has headed and accelerated the global transformation of Hempel with remarkable results under very challenging and fast-evolving external conditions.”