Hempel Taps Michael Hansen as Next CEO

Michael Hansen, Executive Vice President Energy & Infrastructure at Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel A/S, will succeed Lars Petersson as CEO of the company on October 15, 2022. Petersson leaves Hempel to take up the position of CEO of VELUX Group.

Hansen joined Hempel in May 2017 as Chief Commercial Officer and has delivered remarkable results as a central driver of the global transformation in Hempel. Today, he is part of the Executive Group Management as Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure.

“Michael Hansen has extensive knowledge of Hempel, its markets and customers. With his great leadership qualities and the strong results he has delivered, Michael has shown that he is the perfect successor to take over as CEO and continue Hempel’s growth journey. I am very pleased that the natural choice of a new Group President and CEO is an existing top leader from within Hempel. The Board and I look forward to continuing the great collaboration with Michael and his executive management team,” said Richard Sand, Chair of the Board of Directors of Hempel A/S.

“I am truly honored to be appointed CEO of Hempel – a unique, global company. With more than 7,500 dedicated colleagues serving customers in more than 100 countries, a strong value-based culture, a sharp customer focus and strong social engagement, Hempel is a company where we all work together to deliver on our strategy and to reach the ambitious goals we have set ourselves,” says Michael Hansen. “We will continue our strategic journey, Double Impact, with the purpose of shaping a brighter future through sustainable coating solutions. I am proud to be leading a company, which makes a real, positive impact on the society that we are a part of, both directly through our products and solutions, and by creating opportunities for our colleagues around the world.”

Richard Sand comments on Petersson’s departure, “The Board would like to thank Lars for a truly exceptional and dedicated effort. Lars has headed and accelerated the global transformation of Hempel with remarkable results under very challenging and fast-evolving external conditions.”

Petersson takes on the position of President and CEO of VELUX Group on November 1, 2022. Until October 14, he will continue his engaged daily work for Hempel and contribute to an optimal hand-over to Hansen and the Executive Group Management.

Hansen holds a degree from Copenhagen Business School, as well as an Executive MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. Prior to joining Hempel, Hansen worked 19 years for Maersk, where he held the position, among others, of Vice President, Global Head of Sales & Marketing in Maersk Line.