Air Liquide: New Governance from June 2022, Benoît Potier proposed to remain Chairman

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On Wednesday, industrial gases group Air Liquide announced a new governance structure, with the dissociation from June 2022 of the functions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, held by Benoît Potier since 2006.

Air Liquide enters a new cycle

François Jackow, 52, is to be appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Benoît Potier, 64, whose term as Chairman of the Board of Directors will be up for renewal in May 2022, the Group said in a press release.
The Board of Directors met on Tuesday to examine the succession plan for the head of the Group, which the Appointments and Governance Committee had been working on for “more than two years”, as Benoît Potier approached the age limit (65) for the position of CEO.
François Jackow, who joined Air Liquide in 1993 and was the front-runner, is currently Executive Vice-President and oversees the Europe Industries, Europe Healthcare and Africa-Middle East-India divisions.

Retaining Benoît Potier’s experience

In its press release, Air Liquide is delighted to retain “the benefit of Benoît Potier’s successful experience in both functions and his attachment to the values of the Group he has led for 20 years and chaired for 15”.
Under his tenure, Air Liquide has more than doubled in size and its capitalization has increased fivefold, says the Group, recalling its recent positioning on “markets of the future” such as healthcare, digital and the energy transition with hydrogen.

“With this change in governance, which combines continuity and renewal, the Group is beginning a new chapter in its history, coinciding with the launch of our new strategic plan to be presented in March 2022,” said Benoît Potier, quoted in the text.

Strong economic recovery in Q3 2021

Air Liquide enjoyed a strong recovery in the third quarter, with a 17.2% jump in sales to 9.4% for the first nine months of the year, marked by major investments in hydrogen and the energy transition.
Air Liquide plans to invest a total of around €8 billion in low-carbon hydrogen between now and 2035.

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