People

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has announced leadership changes following the retirement of Adebode Adefioye as its chair. Adefioye served as a board member since 2012 and as chair since June 2020. Gbenga Oyebode succeeds Adefioye in the role of chair. Oyebode has 42 years’ legal, corporate governance and business operational experience. He currently also chairs Okomu Oil Palm Company, Nestle Nigeria and CFAO Nigeria. Upon his accession to chair, Oyebode will step down from all Lafarge Africa board committees.

Lafarge Africa appointed Puneet Sharma as chief financial officer. Sharma brings 30 years’ corporate experience, including management roles at Tropical General Investment Nigeria and GSK Nigeria. He is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a graduate of Panjabi University, Patiala, India.

Adebode Adefioye said "My tenure on the board is filled with good memories. The company has witnessed significant transformation in the last four years and I am happy that this is attributable to the efforts of every member of the board. I feel fulfilled in retiring as chair knowing fully well that I will be leaving the leadership of the board in good hands. I am grateful for the support of the entire board and the confidence reposed in me.”

China: Asia Cement (China) has announced its appointment of Shu-ping Hsu as an executive director, effective immediately. People in Business News has reported that Hsu will be responsible for formulating the overall business strategy of the company in China. He holds a master’s degree in Operation Research from Stanford University, US.

Denmark: M&J Recycling has appointed René Normann Christensen as its new CEO, effective immediately. Christensen brings extensive leadership from previous CEO roles at Kohberg Bakery Group, engineering firm Glunz & Jensen and circular food packaging producer Plus Pack. He has a degree in Finance from Syddansk Universitet.

M&J Recycling says that Normann Christensen’s appointment marks a strategic step towards the company's next growth phase. It thanked previous CEO Uffe Hansen for his ‘tremendous job’ in building a new, resilient organisation, ready for future growth.

ChairCarsten Knudsen said “After a successful carve out from Metso in 2021, M&J Recycling has now reached a point on the growth journey where it is necessary to change focus and increase momentum. There is a significant global potential for M&J’s industrial waste shredders, and I am confident that René Normann Christensen will, as the new CEO, strengthen the organisation and take M&J Recycling to the next level.”

India: Anandakrishnan Balasubramaniyan has resigned as managing director of Hemadri Cements due to ‘personal reasons and health conditions.’ Balasubramaniyan additionally resigned his seat on the company’s board of directors.

Hemadri Cements appointed Anandakrishnan Balasubramaniyan as additional director and managing director in August 2022.

Australia: Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has appointed Michael Kilgariff as its CEO with effect from 6 May 2024. He will succeed Jason Kuchel, who has been working as the interim CEO.

CCAA represents the heavy construction materials industry in Australia. CCAA members operate cement manufacturing and distribution facilities, concrete batching plants, hard rock quarries, and sand and gravel extraction operations throughout Australia.

Kilgariff brings with him over 20 years industry association experience across infrastructure, transport, logistics, and energy sectors. He was the CEO of Roads Australia from 2018 to 2023, the managing director of the Australian Logistics Council from 2009 to 2018 and worked for the Energy Networks Association from 2004 to 2009.

George Agriogiannis, the chair of CCAA said that “Michael Kilgariff’s appointment comes at a critical time for CCAA as it goes through a process of renewal and transformation.” He continued, “The infrastructure industry is undergoing a pivot from transport to energy and social infrastructure, while the building industry is also facing a number of economic and social challenges, including an acute housing shortage. All these sectors require an efficient and sustainable supply chain of heavy construction materials.”