Univar Europe Strengthens Leadership Team Across the Region

These appointments reflect Univar’s continuous commitment to expanding its business in Europe and to operating as ONE single company, offering the same high-level of service to its customers and suppliers, across all the countries where it is present.

15/07/09 Univar, a leading European company specialising in the sales, marketing, application and safe, efficient handling of a wide range of chemicals and ingredients, announced a number of new appointments, both on country / regional level as well as on a functional level and as such strengthening its European leadership team across the region. These appointments reflect Univar’s continuous commitment to expanding its business in Europe and to operating as ONE single company, offering the same high-level of service to its customers and suppliers, across all the countries where it is present.

“Univar has grown to be a world-leading player by focusing on acquisitions to intensify its business. This year, the company’s focus has moved to really become ONE company with a strong functional and central leadership.  All newly appointed leaders bring their own specific expert knowledge and experience in different regions to the table, which will help us develop and expand our business even further,” said John van Osch, President EMEA, Univar Europe.

Gerard Essink, previously leader for Univar’s Iberian business, has been promoted to Director Strategic Planning & Development. In this role, Gerard will lead the strategic planning process for Univar by setting the company’s long-term vision and defining the ‘path’ forward to achieving it.

David Jukes, formerly Chief Executive of Distrupol and Regional Director Univar UK/Ireland, Nordic, has been promoted to Vice President Sales and Marketing EMEA. As part of Univar’s focus to combine strong regional market-focused sales organisations with a strategic functional leadership team for pan-European alignment, Jukes will lead all regional teams, Distrupol and RW Greef/Marnic and central sales & marketing focused teams in his new role.

Nicolas Lehmann, formerly General Manager for Univar France, has been promoted to Vice President Supplier & Product Management EMEA. Lehmann will take on responsibility for leading all central procurement, product management and supplier relations activities and for ensuring European alignment of previously regionally driven activities. 

Christophe Jacob has been appointed General Manager for France. He will focus on strengthening Univar’s growth in France, building on the company’s existing strong position. Prior to joining Univar, Jacob was Managing Director South Europe at Armstrong Building Products and held senior technical and business positions at BASF in France, Germany, China and Italy.

For Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, Mirko Schnitzler has been made General Manager. Schnitzler, who will join Univar on 14th September, will heavily focus on strengthening Univar’s position in Germany and will drive further and faster growth in Eastern Europe. He joins Univar from Celanese where he currently holds the position of Global Commercial Director for Celanese Emulsions.

For Iberia, Claus Folke Jensen has been appointed General Manager. Having previously held senior commercial positions with Novo Nordisk, DuPont, Esseco and Lundbeck, he will use his extensive international expertise to build on Univar’s strong position in Spain and Portugal and continue to grow the successful sales and distribution organisation in the region.

Nigel Hayes has been promoted to General Manager for the UK and Ireland.  With a strong sales background with several international companies, during his seven years at Univar, Hayes has held senior sales positions, the most recent being Sales Director for the region. He will continue to deliver outstanding financial performance through sales-led initiatives in the UK and Ireland.

“Although the economic downturn may paint a bleak picture, we are continuing to invest in our company and our people and are confident that, despite the challenging upcoming months, we will maintain our leading position in the chemical distribution market,” continued John Van Osch, President for Univar EMEA. “These new appointments will enable us to continue to provide added value to our customers and suppliers across the region.”

Operating from 56 distribution locations in 20 countries across Europe, Univar’s 2,400 local employees serve more than 50,000 European customers in a diverse range of industries including coatings, food, personal care, pharma and other major sectors.