Eric Olsen is to step down from his role as CEO of
Olsen leaves two years after taking up the CEO role and assuming responsibility for successfully implementing the merger of Lafarge and Holcim.
Speaking of his imminent departure, Olsen spoke of his pride over the last two years’ achievements, with LafargeHolcim having everything it needs to succeed. However, he stressed that his decision to resign will contribute to “addressing strong tensions that have recently arisen around the Syria case.”
He continued: “While I was absolutely not involved in, nor even aware of, any wrongdoing, I believe my departure will contribute to bringing back serenity to a company that has been exposed for months on this case.”
On 2 March 2017 LafargeHolcim communicated the initial findings of an independent internal investigation, commissioned by the board of directors, into allegations concerning the Lafarge plant in Syria: specifically that company personnel had engaged in dealings with armed groups and sanctioned parties during 2013 until the plant closed in September 2014. The internal investigation was carried out by independent external counsel with substantial experience in complex cross-border investigations.
The board confirmed that a number of measures taken to continue safe operations at the Syrian plant were unacceptable, and significant errors of judgement were made that contravened the applicable code of conduct. The findings also confirmed that, although these measures were instigated by local and regional management, selected members of Group management were aware of circumstances indicating that violations of Lafarge’s established standards of business conduct had taken place.
As part of the internal investigation and given his current role as CEO of LafargeHolcim, the role and potential implication of Eric Olsen was a point of attention. Following the in-depth review, the board has concluded that Eric Olsen was not responsible for, nor thought to be aware of, any wrongdoings that have been identified as part of its review. In light of current legal proceedings in France, the company said it would not comment further on the findings or individual conduct.
From 15 July 2017, once Eric Olsen leaves, Beat Hess will become interim CEO and Roland Köhler, currently executive committee member with responsibility for Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Trading, will be appointed chief operating officer.
Beat Hess, chairman of the LafargeHolcim board of directors, said: “Eric Olsen is a leader who brought together two companies to create one genuinely global champion. We are very grateful to him for his efforts.”
