Corporate governance
Our Charter of Corporate Governance
Solvay adheres to the highest corporate governance standards. As such, the company has issued a Corporate Governance Charter.
This charter is based on the values that are historically ingrained in our culture. It aims to provide comprehensive disclosure regarding the company’s governance in addition to the contents of its by-laws, as well as its commitment to maximizing value for shareholders and other stakeholders.
Additionally, Solvay has adopted the Belgian Code on Corporate Governance, which seeks to ensure transparency in corporate governance. We therefore also issue a Corporate Governance Statement in our annual report, comprising additional information related to Corporate Governance, including details on directors, executive compensation and relevant events.
Solvay Board of Directors
Promoting transparency and long-term value creation is an integral part of Solvay’s culture. As such, our company is committed to the highest principles in terms of governance.
The Board of Directors embodies these values, steering Solvay’s development while advising the Executive Committee, which oversees its business operations. Together, these governance bodies define the Group’s long-term strategy, pursuing the vision of its founder, Ernest Solvay.
To ensure the highest level of governance performance, the Board of Directors has set up the following permanent specialist Committees.
Composition
Board Committees
C: Chairman
M: Member
|
|
Audit |
Finance |
Compensation |
Nomination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolas Boël | C | C | M | |
| Ilham Kadri | M | |||
| Bernard de Laguiche | M | M | ||
| Jean-Marie Solvay | M | M | ||
| Marjan Oudeman | M | |||
| Charles Casimir-Lambert | M | |||
| Baron Hervé Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge | M | M | ||
| Yves-Thibault de Silguy | M | M | C | |
| Evelyn du Monceau | M | M | ||
| Françoise de Viron | M | M | ||
| Amparo Moraleda | M | M | ||
| Rosemary Thorne | C | |||
| Gilles Michel | M | M | M | |
| Agnès Lemarchand | M | |||
| Matti Lievonen | M | M | ||
| Philippe Tournay |
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee hears reports from the Chief Financial Officer, the head of the Group Internal Audit and the auditor in charge of the external audit (Deloitte, represented by Mr. Michel Denayer). It also examines the quarterly report by the Group General Counsel on significant ongoing legal disputes and reports on tax and intellectual property disputes.
It meets alone with the auditor in charge of the external audit whenever it deems such a meeting useful.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee and CEO (Mr. Jean-Pierre Clamadieu) and all other Board members are invited, once a year, to discuss the major risks to which the Group is exposed.
Finance Committee
The Committee gives its opinion on financial matters such as:
- the amounts of the interim and final dividends,
- the levels and currencies of indebtedness in the light of interest rate developments,
- the hedging of foreign exchange and energy risks,
- the hedging policy of the long-term incentive plans,
- the content of financial communication,
- and the financing of major investments.
It finalizes the preparation of the press releases announcing the quarterly results. It may also be called upon to give opinions on Board policies on these matters.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee fulfills the mission imposed on it by law. In particular, it advises the Board of Directors on Compensation policy and compensation levels for members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, and is informed every year about the compensation of General Management.
It also gives its opinion to the Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee on the Group’s principal compensation policies (including long-term incentive plans). It also prepares the report on compensation.
Nomination Committee
The Nominations Committee gives its opinion on appointments to the Board of Directors (Chairman, new members, renewals and committees), to Executive Committee positions (Chairmanship and members) and to general management positions.
Members of the Board
Nicolas Boël
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Born in: 1962
Solvay SA mandates: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Member of the Nomination Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Economics (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium), Master of Business Administration (College of William and Mary, USA). Director of Sofina.
Solvay SA mandates: Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee, Member of the Nomination Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Economics (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium), Master of Business Administration (College of William and Mary, USA). Director of Sofina.
Ilham Kadri
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chairman of the Executive Committee (as of March 1, 2019)
Ilham Kadri has been appointed CEO of the Group, Chairman of the Executive Committee, member of the Board of Directors, by Solvay’s Board of Directors, with effect from March 1st, 2019. Dr. Kadri is a world citizen with Moroccan-French roots and professional experience across four continents. During her 22-year career, she has held diverse positions at top multinationals including Shell-Basell, UCB-Cytec, Huntsman, Rohm Haas-Dow Chemical and Sealed Air.
Prior to her arrival at Solvay, Ilham Kadri was President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversey, a global leader in hygiene, cleaning solutions, food safety and infection prevention. Dr. Kadri is also board member at A.O. Smith, a U.S.-based leading global manufacturer and supplier of water heating equipment. Her prior responsibilities have included research & development, strategy, business and digital in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, water desalination, construction, consumer goods, food service, hospitality and healthcare. She has overseen transformations through multiple mergers and acquisitions. Ilham Kadri led the turnaround of Diversey, starting in 2013, when she joined Sealed Air, the company’s owner at the time. She grew Diversey’s performance and in 2016, led the spin-off of operations which resulted in the acquisition by Bain Capital. At Diversey, she delivered annual double-digit profit and revenues growth since 2013, while the company expanded into high-performance sectors such as health care and food service. Employee engagement doubled to a record of 80% in 2016 as she gave the business a clear purpose in strengthening performance and rewarding merit.
Ilham Kadri is committed to diversity and inclusion, mentoring young women and promoting female leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Throughout her career, she received awards for fighting illiteracy, for developing charity and for her business leadership.
She holds a degree in chemical engineering from L’Ecole des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg, and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University.
Prior to her arrival at Solvay, Ilham Kadri was President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversey, a global leader in hygiene, cleaning solutions, food safety and infection prevention. Dr. Kadri is also board member at A.O. Smith, a U.S.-based leading global manufacturer and supplier of water heating equipment. Her prior responsibilities have included research & development, strategy, business and digital in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, water desalination, construction, consumer goods, food service, hospitality and healthcare. She has overseen transformations through multiple mergers and acquisitions. Ilham Kadri led the turnaround of Diversey, starting in 2013, when she joined Sealed Air, the company’s owner at the time. She grew Diversey’s performance and in 2016, led the spin-off of operations which resulted in the acquisition by Bain Capital. At Diversey, she delivered annual double-digit profit and revenues growth since 2013, while the company expanded into high-performance sectors such as health care and food service. Employee engagement doubled to a record of 80% in 2016 as she gave the business a clear purpose in strengthening performance and rewarding merit.
Ilham Kadri is committed to diversity and inclusion, mentoring young women and promoting female leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Throughout her career, she received awards for fighting illiteracy, for developing charity and for her business leadership.
She holds a degree in chemical engineering from L’Ecole des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg, and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University.
Bernard de Laguiche
Board of Directors
Born in: 1959
Solvay SA mandates: Member of the Executive Committee until September 30, 2013, Director, Member of the Finance Committee and Member of the Audit Committee since May 13, 2014
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Economics and Business Administration, HSG (Universität St. Gallen, Switzerland). MBA in Agribusiness, University of São Paulo (USP ESALQ). Managing Director of Solvac SA, Chairman of the Board of Peroxidos do Brasil Ltda, Curitiba (Brasil), Board member of Le Pain Quotidien Brasil Ltda, Sao Paulo and Luxembourg, Founder and President of Grupo Ortus SA, Curitiba (Brasil), President of Agro Mercantil Vila Rica Ltda, Parana (Argentina).
Solvay SA mandates: Member of the Executive Committee until September 30, 2013, Director, Member of the Finance Committee and Member of the Audit Committee since May 13, 2014
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Economics and Business Administration, HSG (Universität St. Gallen, Switzerland). MBA in Agribusiness, University of São Paulo (USP ESALQ). Managing Director of Solvac SA, Chairman of the Board of Peroxidos do Brasil Ltda, Curitiba (Brasil), Board member of Le Pain Quotidien Brasil Ltda, Sao Paulo and Luxembourg, Founder and President of Grupo Ortus SA, Curitiba (Brasil), President of Agro Mercantil Vila Rica Ltda, Parana (Argentina).
Jean-Marie Solvay
Board of Directors
Born in: 1956
Solvay SA mandates: Director, Member of the Innovation Board
Expiry date of directorship: 2020
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Advanced Management Programme – Insead. CEO of Albrecht RE Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG., Berlin (Germany), Chairman of the Board of the International Solvay Institutes. Member of the Board of the Innovation Fund, Brussels
Solvay SA mandates: Director, Member of the Innovation Board
Expiry date of directorship: 2020
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Advanced Management Programme – Insead. CEO of Albrecht RE Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG., Berlin (Germany), Chairman of the Board of the International Solvay Institutes. Member of the Board of the Innovation Fund, Brussels
Marjan Oudeman
Board of Directors
Born in: 1958
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee since May 12, 2015
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Law degree, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (the Netherlands). Summer Program American Law, Columbia University (New York, USA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Universiteit Leiden (the Netherlands). Masters Degree in Business Administration, Simon E. Business School, University of Rochester (New York, USA), and Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Member of the Board of Statoil ASA. Member of the Board of SHV Holdings N.V., the Netherlands. President of the Executive Board Universiteit Utrecht (the Netherlands)until July 2017. Member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke Concertgebouw, the Netherlands. Chairman of the Board of Ronald McDonald Children’s Fund. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands. Since April 2017, Member of the Supervisory Board of Aalberts Industries NV.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee since May 12, 2015
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Law degree, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (the Netherlands). Summer Program American Law, Columbia University (New York, USA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Universiteit Leiden (the Netherlands). Masters Degree in Business Administration, Simon E. Business School, University of Rochester (New York, USA), and Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (the Netherlands). Member of the Board of Statoil ASA. Member of the Board of SHV Holdings N.V., the Netherlands. President of the Executive Board Universiteit Utrecht (the Netherlands)until July 2017. Member of the Supervisory Board of Koninklijke Concertgebouw, the Netherlands. Chairman of the Board of Ronald McDonald Children’s Fund. Member of the Supervisory Board of the Rijksmuseum, the Netherlands. Since April 2017, Member of the Supervisory Board of Aalberts Industries NV.
Charles Casimir-Lambert
Board of Directors
Born in: 1967
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MBA Columbia Business School (New York, USA)/London Business School (London, UK), Master’s degree (lic.oec.HSG) in economics, management and finance (Universität St. Gallen, Switzerland). Management of family’s global interests.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MBA Columbia Business School (New York, USA)/London Business School (London, UK), Master’s degree (lic.oec.HSG) in economics, management and finance (Universität St. Gallen, Switzerland). Management of family’s global interests.
Hervé Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge
Board of Directors
Born in: 1957
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Finance and Audit Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Law from the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium), Diploma in Economics and Business, ICHEC (Belgium) Until June 30, 2013, Group Director Petercam SA, Director of Vital Renewable Energy Company LLC (Delaware). Independent Director, VISONARITY AG (Basel, Stwitzerland).
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Finance and Audit Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Law from the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium), Diploma in Economics and Business, ICHEC (Belgium) Until June 30, 2013, Group Director Petercam SA, Director of Vital Renewable Energy Company LLC (Delaware). Independent Director, VISONARITY AG (Basel, Stwitzerland).
Yves-Thibault de Silguy
Board of Directors
Born in: 1948
Solvay SA mandates: Independent director, Member of the Compensation Committee and Chairman of the Nomination Committee, Member of the Finance Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Law from the Université de Rennes (France), DES in public law from Université de Paris I (France), graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris and the École Nationale d’Administration (France) Vice-Chairman and Lead Director of the VINCI group, Director of LVMH, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sofisport (France), Director of VTB bank (Moscow, Russia), and Chairman of YTSeuropaconsultants.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent director, Member of the Compensation Committee and Chairman of the Nomination Committee, Member of the Finance Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2019
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Law from the Université de Rennes (France), DES in public law from Université de Paris I (France), graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris and the École Nationale d’Administration (France) Vice-Chairman and Lead Director of the VINCI group, Director of LVMH, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sofisport (France), Director of VTB bank (Moscow, Russia), and Chairman of YTSeuropaconsultants.
Evelyn du Monceau
Board of Directors
Born in: 1950
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Applied Economics from the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Chair of the Board and Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee of UCB SA, Member of the Board of Directors of La Financière de Tubize SA, Member of the Corporate Governance Commission.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: MA in Applied Economics from the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Chair of the Board and Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee of UCB SA, Member of the Board of Directors of La Financière de Tubize SA, Member of the Corporate Governance Commission.
Françoise de Viron
Board of Directors
Born in: 1955
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Doctorate of Science (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium). Master in Sociology (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium). Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences and Louvain School of Management (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium), Academic Member of the Center of Research Entrepreneurial Change and Innovative Strategies, of Interdisciplinary Group of Research in Socialization, Education and Training, of the Interdisciplinary Research Group in Adult Education at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Chairman and Director AISBL EUCEN – European Universities Continuing Education network.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Doctorate of Science (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium). Master in Sociology (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium). Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences and Louvain School of Management (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium), Academic Member of the Center of Research Entrepreneurial Change and Innovative Strategies, of Interdisciplinary Group of Research in Socialization, Education and Training, of the Interdisciplinary Research Group in Adult Education at the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Chairman and Director AISBL EUCEN – European Universities Continuing Education network.
Amparo Moraleda
Board of Directors
Born in: 1964
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Degree in Industrial Engineering, ICAI (Universidad Pontifica Comillas, Spain) PDG, IESE Business School (Universidad de Navarra, Spain). Former General Manager of IBM Spain, Portugal, Greece, Israel and Turkey Former Chief Operating Officer, International Division (Spain) and Acting CEO, Scottish Power (UK) of Iberdrola Member of the Boards of the following listed companies: Airbus SE (The Netherlands), Faurecia (until oct.2017) (France), Caixabank SA (Spain), Vodafone plc (UK) . Member of the Consejo rector of Consejo Superior of Investigaciones Cientificas. Member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Economics and Financial Sciences.
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Compensation and Nomination Committees
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Degree in Industrial Engineering, ICAI (Universidad Pontifica Comillas, Spain) PDG, IESE Business School (Universidad de Navarra, Spain). Former General Manager of IBM Spain, Portugal, Greece, Israel and Turkey Former Chief Operating Officer, International Division (Spain) and Acting CEO, Scottish Power (UK) of Iberdrola Member of the Boards of the following listed companies: Airbus SE (The Netherlands), Faurecia (until oct.2017) (France), Caixabank SA (Spain), Vodafone plc (UK) . Member of the Consejo rector of Consejo Superior of Investigaciones Cientificas. Member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Economics and Financial Sciences.
Rosemary Thorne
Board of Directors
Born in: 1952
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Honours Degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Warwick (UK). Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants FCMA and CGMA Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers FCT Former Chief Financial Officer of J. Sainsbury, Bradford & Bingley, and Ladbrokes Member of the Board and Chair of Audit Committee of Merrill Lynch International (UK) and Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland). Former Independent Director of Royal Mail Group Cadbury Schweppes, Santander UK and First Global Trust Bank (UK).
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Audit Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Honours Degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Warwick (UK). Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants FCMA and CGMA Fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers FCT Former Chief Financial Officer of J. Sainsbury, Bradford & Bingley, and Ladbrokes Member of the Board and Chair of Audit Committee of Merrill Lynch International (UK) and Smurfit Kappa Group (Ireland). Former Independent Director of Royal Mail Group Cadbury Schweppes, Santander UK and First Global Trust Bank (UK).
Gilles Michel
Board of Directors
Born in: 1956
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Finance Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: École Polytechnique (France). École nationale de la statistique et de l’administration économique (ENSAE) (France). Institut d’Études Politiques (IEP). Former CEO Ceramics & Plastics, Saint-Gobain, France. Former Member of the Management Board, PSA, France. Former CEO, Fonds stratégique d’Investissement (FSI), France. Chairman & CEO, Imerys, France (listed). Independent Director IBL
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director, Member of the Finance Committee
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: École Polytechnique (France). École nationale de la statistique et de l’administration économique (ENSAE) (France). Institut d’Études Politiques (IEP). Former CEO Ceramics & Plastics, Saint-Gobain, France. Former Member of the Management Board, PSA, France. Former CEO, Fonds stratégique d’Investissement (FSI), France. Chairman & CEO, Imerys, France (listed). Independent Director IBL
Agnès Lemarchand
Board of Directors
Born in: 1954
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (France), Chemical engineering degree from MIT (Boston, USA), MBA degree from INSEAD. Former CEO IBFbiotechnics, Rhône-Poulenc (France). Former CEO Prodical, Ciments-Français, (France). Former CEO Lime Division, Lafarge (France). Former Executive Chairman of Steetley Dolomite Ltd (UK). Independant Director of the following listed companies : CGG Veritas (until oct 2017) (USA/France), Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (France), BioMérieux (France).
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2021
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (France), Chemical engineering degree from MIT (Boston, USA), MBA degree from INSEAD. Former CEO IBFbiotechnics, Rhône-Poulenc (France). Former CEO Prodical, Ciments-Français, (France). Former CEO Lime Division, Lafarge (France). Former Executive Chairman of Steetley Dolomite Ltd (UK). Independant Director of the following listed companies : CGG Veritas (until oct 2017) (USA/France), Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (France), BioMérieux (France).
Matti Lievonen
Board of Directors
Born in: 1960
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: BscEng, Electrical Engineering from Kuopio Institute of Technology (Finland), eMBA of Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), Former President & Chief Executive Officer of Neste Corporation
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: BscEng, Electrical Engineering from Kuopio Institute of Technology (Finland), eMBA of Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), Former President & Chief Executive Officer of Neste Corporation
Philippe Tournay
Board of Directors
Born in: 1959
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Diploma in taxation from Solvay Université Libre de Bruxelles, Degree in Economics from Université Catholique de Louvain, Military Service as Adjudant and Candidatures in Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Former Presa SA Owner and Managing Director
Solvay SA mandates: Independent Director
Expiry date of directorship: 2022
Diplomas and activities outside Solvay: Diploma in taxation from Solvay Université Libre de Bruxelles, Degree in Economics from Université Catholique de Louvain, Military Service as Adjudant and Candidatures in Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Former Presa SA Owner and Managing Director
Internal procedures
Solvay Executive Committee
This overview includes Solvay’s Executive Committee’s size and composition, its roles and missions as defined by the Board of Directors, appointment and renewal procedures, the delegation of powers, the frequency and procedure of meetings, as well as the evaluation of its members and their compensation policy.
All matters related to Solvay’s Executive Committee are detailed in our Charter of Corporate Governance.
Members of the Executive Committee
Ilham Kadri
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chairman of the Executive Committee (as of March 1, 2019)
Ilham Kadri has been appointed CEO of the Group, Chairman of the Executive Committee, member of the Board of Directors, by Solvay’s Board of Directors, with effect from March 1st, 2019. Dr. Kadri is a world citizen with Moroccan-French roots and professional experience across four continents. During her 22-year career, she has held diverse positions at top multinationals including Shell-Basell, UCB-Cytec, Huntsman, Rohm Haas-Dow Chemical and Sealed Air.
Prior to her arrival at Solvay, Ilham Kadri was President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversey, a global leader in hygiene, cleaning solutions, food safety and infection prevention. Dr. Kadri is also board member at A.O. Smith, a U.S.-based leading global manufacturer and supplier of water heating equipment. Her prior responsibilities have included research & development, strategy, business and digital in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, water desalination, construction, consumer goods, food service, hospitality and healthcare. She has overseen transformations through multiple mergers and acquisitions. Ilham Kadri led the turnaround of Diversey, starting in 2013, when she joined Sealed Air, the company’s owner at the time. She grew Diversey’s performance and in 2016, led the spin-off of operations which resulted in the acquisition by Bain Capital. At Diversey, she delivered annual double-digit profit and revenues growth since 2013, while the company expanded into high-performance sectors such as health care and food service. Employee engagement doubled to a record of 80% in 2016 as she gave the business a clear purpose in strengthening performance and rewarding merit.
Ilham Kadri is committed to diversity and inclusion, mentoring young women and promoting female leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Throughout her career, she received awards for fighting illiteracy, for developing charity and for her business leadership.
She holds a degree in chemical engineering from L’Ecole des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg, and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University.
Prior to her arrival at Solvay, Ilham Kadri was President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversey, a global leader in hygiene, cleaning solutions, food safety and infection prevention. Dr. Kadri is also board member at A.O. Smith, a U.S.-based leading global manufacturer and supplier of water heating equipment. Her prior responsibilities have included research & development, strategy, business and digital in industries spanning automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, mining, water desalination, construction, consumer goods, food service, hospitality and healthcare. She has overseen transformations through multiple mergers and acquisitions. Ilham Kadri led the turnaround of Diversey, starting in 2013, when she joined Sealed Air, the company’s owner at the time. She grew Diversey’s performance and in 2016, led the spin-off of operations which resulted in the acquisition by Bain Capital. At Diversey, she delivered annual double-digit profit and revenues growth since 2013, while the company expanded into high-performance sectors such as health care and food service. Employee engagement doubled to a record of 80% in 2016 as she gave the business a clear purpose in strengthening performance and rewarding merit.
Ilham Kadri is committed to diversity and inclusion, mentoring young women and promoting female leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Throughout her career, she received awards for fighting illiteracy, for developing charity and for her business leadership.
She holds a degree in chemical engineering from L’Ecole des Hauts Polymères in Strasbourg, and a PhD in macromolecular physico-chemistry from Strasbourg’s Louis Pasteur University.
Vincent De Cuyper
Member of the Executive Committee
Vincent De Cuyper began his career at Solvay in 1987 and held various positions in production and project management when sent on international assignments in France, Thailand and Argentina. In 1999, he was appointed Manager of the Vinythai plant in Map Ta Put in Thailand and, subsequently, Managing Director of Vinythai PCL.
From 2006 to 2012, he served as Group General Manager of the Chemicals Sector.
Since 2006 he has been a member of the Executive Committee of Solvay.
Vincent De Cuyper holds a degree in Civil Chemical Engineering awarded by the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve.
From 2006 to 2012, he served as Group General Manager of the Chemicals Sector.
Since 2006 he has been a member of the Executive Committee of Solvay.
Vincent De Cuyper holds a degree in Civil Chemical Engineering awarded by the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve.
Augusto Didonfrancesco
Member of the Executive Committee
Augusto Di Donfrancesco began his Solvay career in 1987 as a process engineer in Rosignano, Italy. He has held multiple roles within the Solvay Group in Production, Technology, Human Resources and Commercial Operations in the Chemicals and Plastics divisions. In 2005 he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to become the General Manager of Solvay’s formerly owned Solvay Indupa. In 2009 he came to Brussels as General
Manager of Specialty Polymers, and then returned to Italy in 2011 to become President of the newly created Global Business Unit Solvay Specialty Polymers. In 2018, he joined the Executive Committee of Solvay.
Augusto Di Donfrancesco, an Italian national, graduated from Pisa University in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
Manager of Specialty Polymers, and then returned to Italy in 2011 to become President of the newly created Global Business Unit Solvay Specialty Polymers. In 2018, he joined the Executive Committee of Solvay.
Augusto Di Donfrancesco, an Italian national, graduated from Pisa University in 1985 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
Hua Du
Member of the Executive Committee
Hua Du began his career with Solvay as President of Solvay Rare Earth Systems in 2010. In 2015, he was appointed as the President of the new Global Business Unit Special Chem, which combines the former GBUs Rare Earths Systems and Special Chemicals as well as the fluorine part of the GBU Aroma Performance. He has been appointed Member of the Executive Committee in 2018. Before joining Solvay, he worked for more than 13 years at Rohm & Haas and Dow Chemical in the electronic materials business.
Hua Du, a national of Hong Kong SAR, China, graduated in 1990 from Beijing University with a major in BS Chemistry. In 1995, he obtained a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Hua Du, a national of Hong Kong SAR, China, graduated in 1990 from Beijing University with a major in BS Chemistry. In 1995, he obtained a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Karim Hajjar
Chief Financial Officer & Member of the Executive Committee
Before joining Solvay, Karim Hajjar, a British national, was Director Finance and Planning at Imperial Tobacco Group Plc.
In his first job, he became a partner at Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants which he joined in 1984. He moved on to Royal Dutch/Shell where between 1995 and 2004 he was amongst others deputy CFO of Shell Chemicals.
Karim Hajjar was CFO of Tarmac Group from 2005 to 2009 and its managing director until 2010.
In his first job, he became a partner at Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants which he joined in 1984. He moved on to Royal Dutch/Shell where between 1995 and 2004 he was amongst others deputy CFO of Shell Chemicals.
Karim Hajjar was CFO of Tarmac Group from 2005 to 2009 and its managing director until 2010.
