Succession at the head of Etex in January 2022
On 1 January 2022, a new executive leader will be taking the helm of Etex. Paul Van Oyen will reach the end of his current seven-year mandate as CEO of the company at the end of this year after a dynamic and successful career of 31 years in the global building materials company, seven of which as Chief Executive Officer. Bernard Delvaux, former Chief Executive Officer of Sonaca Group, will succeed him following a transition period starting in September this year.
Relentless dedication, defining achievements
Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Belgium, Etex is known worldwide as a leading reference in building solutions and a trailblazer in the lightweight construction industry. The company employs more than 11,000 people across the globe and recorded EUR 2.6 billion in revenue in 2020.
Paul Van Oyen joined Etex in 1990 as a laboratory and project manager active in the R&D department, and since then he dedicated his professional career to the company. He became the CEO of Etex on 1 January 2015. In this role, he has built a purpose- and people-driven performance organisation sharpening the leadership approach, launched the One Etex movement whose results have been confirmed within the COVID-19 context, and sharpened Etex’s lightweight construction strategy leading to major disposals and acquisitions as well as to the creation of a promising new revenue stream based on modular and offsite construction.
Leadership that inspires results
On 31 December 2021, Paul Van Oyen will reach the end of his current seven-year mandate as CEO of the company. He has decided to not exercise the option to extend this term. “I would like to thank Paul Van Oyen for his immense dedication during his long career at Etex”, says former Chairman of the Board of Directors Jean-Louis de Cartier de Marchienne. “His leadership was a differentiator that inspired and drove strong results in every key area, from employee engagement and safety to sustainability and financial performance. We have truly become a unified global business under his direction, while maintaining our strong local roots.”
Bernard Delvaux takes the wheel
Following a transition period beginning in September 2021, Bernard Delvaux will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer of Etex on 1 January 2022. Prior to joining Etex, Bernard assumed Senior Executive roles for over 30 years in large groups such as bpost, Proximus and lately Sonaca, successfully developing their organic and non-organic growth and gathering extensive industrial operations experience.
Bernard Delvaux has been appointed with the mission of further pursuing Etex’s ambitious long-term strategy, which focusses on both internal and external growth. Newly appointed Chairman of the Board Johan Van Biesbroeck comments: “Let me first join Jean-Louis to thank Paul for his long career at Etex and his numerous achievements. We look forward to having Bernard on board as new CEO of Etex. We are very happy that Paul and Bernard agreed on an important collaboration period between September and the end of year, allowing the smoothest transition possible. Bernard is very team- and people-focussed and will help us develop the next chapter for Etex”.
“In light of these ambitious plans, the Board of Directors and Etex’s more than 11,000 teammates wish Bernard every success in guiding Etex on a path of continuous growth”, concludes Johan Van Biesbroeck.