Monday saw the latest CEO victim of non-compliance with a company’s own code of conduct—Eric Olsen, CEO of LafargeHolcim, who will resign on 15 July this year, only two years after his appointment to oversee the merger of Lafarge and Holcim. The conclusion of the company’s enquiry into the conduct of its Syrian subsidiary between 2010 and September 2014, when the plant closed, was announced on the same day. Despite his decision to resign, taken to address “strong tensions that have recently arisen around the Syria case”, the accompanying press release notes that: “Following an in-depth review, the Board has concluded that Eric Olsen was not responsible for, nor thought to be aware of, any wrongdoings that have been identified as part of its review.”
The company does not appear to have a successor for Olsen and has announced a search process. In July, when Olsen leaves, Beat Hess, board chair, will become interim CEO and Roland Köhler, currently in charge of Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Trading, will be appointed COO.
