Holcim Announces Leadership Changes for Upcoming North America Spin-Off

Holcim has announced the appointment of Jan Jenisch as president and CEO of its soon-to-be-spin-off North America business. Jenisch will give up his current role as Holcim president and take on the new position, with Kim Fausing, the CEO of Danfoss, set to succeed him. The company plans to separate its North American business by mid-2025, with the new entity to be listed on the New York and Zurich stock exchanges.

Holcim, a leading global building materials and solutions company, announced on January 10, 2025, the appointment of Jan Jenisch as the Chairman and CEO of its soon-to-be-separated North American business [1]. Jenisch, who currently serves as the Chairman of Holcim, will give up his current role and take on the new position, with Kim Fausing, the CEO of Danfoss, set to succeed him.

The Swiss-based company plans to separate its North American business by mid-2025, with the new entity expected to be listed on the New York and Zurich stock exchanges [1]. The move comes as part of Holcim's strategy to focus on its core markets and improve operational efficiency.

Jenisch, who previously served as Holcim's CEO from 2017 to 2024, has been instrumental in leading the planned listing of the North American business. His experience and expertise will be invaluable in guiding the new entity through its early stages.

The Holcim Board has appointed nine highly experienced executives to serve on the North American company's Board of Directors, including Theresa Drew, Nicholas Gangestad, Dwight Gibson, Holli Ladhani, Michael E. McKelvy, Jürg Oleas, Robert S. Rivkin, Katja Roth Pellanda, and Cristina A. Wilbur [1]. These individuals bring diverse perspectives and deep expertise across key sectors such as construction, manufacturing, industrial operations, and financial services.

Theresa Drew, a former Managing Partner of the Carolinas Practice at Deloitte & Touche LLP, is one of the designated independent directors. Her extensive experience in financial services and leadership roles will be a valuable asset to the new company [2].

The North American business's separation from Holcim is expected to create a more focused and agile entity, better positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in the North American market. With Jenisch at the helm and a talented and experienced Board of Directors, the new company is well on its way to delivering strong governance and value creation for all stakeholders.

References:
[1] Finanzwire. (2025, January 10). Holcim appoints Board and CEO for planned North American company. Retrieved from https://www.finanzwire.com/press-release/holcim-appoints-board-and-ceo-for-planned-north-american-company-qFe1ejCC1vb
[2] Deloitte. (n.d.). Theresa Drew. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/theresa-drew.html