Brussels-based advanced materials and specialty chemicals company Solvay SA has appointed lham Kadri as its new CEO, chairman of the executive committee, and member of the board of directors, effective March 1, 2019. She will join Solvay on Jan. 1, 2019, and will spend two months transitioning with the incumbent CEO, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, before taking up the leadership role and continuing Solvay’s transformation.
Kadri is currently president and CEO of U.S.-headquartered Diversey, a global leader in hygiene, cleaning solutions, food safety, and infection prevention, and since 2016 owned by Bain Capital. During her 22-year career, she has held diverse positions at multinationals including Shell-Basell, UCB-Cytec, Huntsman Corp., Rohm Haas-Dow Chemical, and Sealed Air Corp.
Solvay accelerated its succession plan for a new CEO in February following French energy and services group Engie’s decision to propose Clamadieu as its chairman. He was appointed chairman of Engie in May.