Dr Dominik von Achten succeeds Dr Bernd Scheifele as chairman of the managing board of HeidelbergCement
ON 1 February 2020, Dr Dominik von Achten will take over the chairmanship of the managing board of HeidelbergCement. He has been deputy chairman of the board since 2015, and succeeds Dr Bernd Scheifele, who steps down from the role of chairman today [31 January], after his third term of office, to enter retirement.
‘With Dr Dominik von Achten, a competent, recognized and internationally experienced manager from among our own ranks is taking over the chairmanship of HeidelbergCement,’ said Fritz-Jürgen Heckmann, chairman of the company’s supervisory board.
‘Over the past 13 years, he has proven himself in a variety of roles within the company. We are convinced that he will lead the Group into a successful and sustainable future.’
Dr von Achten (pictured) has been a member of the managing board of HeidelbergCement since 2007 and deputy chairman of the board since 2015. His area of responsibility included the Group areas of North America and Western and Southern Europe as well as the Competence Centre Materials.
He also played a significant role in the successful integration of both Hanson and Italcementi, and as chief digital officer, is responsible for digital transformation and digital ventures.
‘We would like to thank Dr Scheifele for his many years of extraordinary and highly successful commitment to the company,’ continued Mr Heckmann. ‘As chairman of the managing board, he has played a key role in shaping HeidelbergCement for 15 years.
‘He successfully increased the company’s competitiveness by introducing efficient management processes and a lean administration, he expanded its geographic positioning and business activities, and developed it into the globally leading, vertically integrated building materials Group.
‘Under his leadership, HeidelbergCement’s revenue has more than doubled to around €18 billion, result from current operations has almost tripled, and the headcount has increased by roughly 40% to around 57,000 employees.’
After the statutory two-year cooling-off period has expired, Dr Scheifele will stand as a candidate for the supervisory board of HeidelbergCement in 2022, to become its chairman.
‘Dr Scheifele’s intention to take over the chairmanship of the supervisory board will ensure continuity for the sustainable success of HeidelbergCement,’ said Mr Heckmann.
Further personnel changes in HeidelbergCement’s managing board will also take place on 1 February 2020:
- Dr Lorenz Näger, who has been the company’s chief financial officer since 2004, will additionally become the new deputy chairman of the managing board.
- Dr von Achten will hand over responsibility for the Western and Southern Europe Group area to Jon Morrish, who was previously responsible for the North America Group area.
- Chris Ward, who was previously head of the Canada region and has been a member of the managing board of HeidelbergCement since 1 September 2019, takes over the North America Group area and the Competence Centre Materials.
