Switzerland: Swiss-based multinational building materials producer Holcim has announced that Wolfgang Reitzle will take over as chairman in 2014. To ensure continuity, current chairman Rolf Soiron has been proposed for re-election at the annual general meeting of 17 April 2013. Also at the meeting the board of directors will propose the election of Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sørensen and Anne Wade to the board of directors of Holcim.

Sørensen is currently the CEO of Maersk Tankers based in Copenhagen, one of the world's largest tanker operators. She holds an MSc in Business Economy from the University of Aarhus.

Wade, an investor with extensive experience in capital markets, was the Senior Vice President and Director of an investment management company, Capital International, based in London from 1995 to 2012. She graduated with a BA from Harvard University and holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics.

In addition the board of directors is proposing the re-election of Beat Hess for a three year term. He is currently deputy chairman of the board of directors. Markus Akermann and Peter Küpfer are no longer available for re-election. Christine Binswanger has resigned from the board effective from the date of the meeting.

Netherlands: Van Aalst Bulk Handling B.V. has appointed Dick Borst as International Sales Manager. Borst will be added to the sales team of Van Aalst Bulk handling, that currently consists of A van Aalst and H van Est. Van Aalst Bulk Handling is a producer of shore based pneumatic ship (un)loading systems for abrasive bulk powders such as cement and fly ash.

Ethiopia: Tamiru Wondimagegn has been appointed as board chairman of Habesha Cement. He is a prominent lawyer and board member of Habesha Cement. He succeeds Gizaw Teklemariam, who previously worked in the oldest state owned cement factory, Mugher.

Habesha held elections for its board in late January 2013, following a reduction in board places from 12 to nine. The Ethiopian cement producer has also given three board of directors seats to two South African companies, International Development Corporation and Pretoria Portland Cement, which are credited for bringing in 49% equity to Habesha.

Ireland: Myles Lee, the Group Chief Executive of CRH, has confirmed to the board that he intends to retire from the company at the end of 2013 having reached the age of 60. CRH has indicated that it was likely that Albert Manifold, CRH's CEO, would become the new chairman.

Lee has completed a five year term as chief executive and 10 years as an executive director. Lee joined CRH in 1982, joining the board in November 2003 as finance director, later becoming chief executive in January 2009.