Christophe de Saint Louvent Appointed as Lesaffre CEO

Avenel: "His international management experience, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic development expertise will be key assets for our group."

6/22/2011 --- The Board of Directors has appointed Christophe de Saint Louvent Chief Executive Officer of Lesaffre et Cie. Lesaffre is the world leader in bakery yeast and yeast extracts.

At this position, Christophe de Saint Louvent will have the responsibility to carry on Lesaffre’s medium and long-term development leveraging on the skills and experience of the existing teams. Christophe de Saint Louvent is a graduate of the Paris Ponts et Chausses Institute and ESSEC Business School. Appointed in 2006 CEO of Altuglas International, a subsidiary of ARKEMA (a chemical group, formerly Elf Atochem), he successfully boosted the competitiveness and performance of this world-leading provider of acrylic glass (Plexiglas., Altuglas.), motivating the management teams working hard on the business front line.

After starting his career with EDF and then working for an international organisation in Vienna, Austria, Christophe de Saint Louvent joined the Elf Aquitaine group in 1982. He developed his skills in sales, marketing and operations within this group, and subsequently as manager of the sales and marketing teams at SICOF (paints). In 1993, he joined the Strategy and International Development department of the adhesive manufacturer Bostik, then moved to Sartomer as a member of the European Executive Management team. In 2003, Christophe de Saint Louvent took over management of CECA, a speciality chemicals subsidiary of the Arkema group, and successfully transformed it into a leader in its sector.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Christophe de Saint Louvent at Lesaffre. His international management experience, entrepreneurial spirit and strategic development expertise will be key assets for our group,” states Gilles Avenel, Chairman of Lesaffre. “There is no doubt that the group large potential along with the shareholders’ long-term vision give us every confidence in Lesaffre’s capacity to continue to take up the challenges of the years to come and carry on with its remarkable history.”

Christophe de Saint Louvent adds “I know Lesaffre as an exciting business with a strong market position and excellent reputation. I am very pleased to join this outstanding firm and its teams.”

Christophe de Saint Louvent is expected to start in his new position on July 4.