Fertilizer International 519 Mar-Apr 2024
31 March 2024
People
People
Leo Alders, the CEO of LAT Nitrogen, is the new president of Fertilizers Europe. He was elected with immediate effect at an extraordinary general assembly on 5th December last year.
Antoine Hoxha, Fertilizers Europe’s director general, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Leo Alders as our new President. Given the challenges of high and volatile energy prices, the transition to low-carbon economy and the upcoming EU elections, the fertilizer industry needs a strong and experienced leader like Leo Alders. His deep belief in cooperation and outreach will help Fertilizers Europe strengthen the ties among all Plant Nutrition actors to become a key dialogue partner with the European institutions on the future of agri-food systems in Europe”.
In reply, Leo Alders said: “I am grateful to Fertilizers Europe members for entrusting me to guide the European fertilizer industry in these challenging times. We are at a turning point in history, with many challenges ahead. With high and volatile energy prices and a challenging market outlook, my focus will be on restoring the industry’s competitiveness to unlock our decarbonisation potential and secure sustainable food systems in Europe. A close cooperation with EU institutions and Members States is needed to safeguard our industrial base in Europe to ensure Europe’s strategic autonomy in food and fertilizer”.
Christopher Bohn became executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO) of CF Industries on the 1st February. He was also elected to the company’s board of directors.
In this role, Mr Bohn will lead for CF on global manufacturing, distribution, sales and supply chain, and clean energy projects. His responsibilities also include operational excellence with a focus on safety, productivity and long-term growth.
Christopher joined CF Industries in September 2009. He was formerly the company’s EVP and chief financial officer (CFO) with responsibility for strategic planning, business development and investor relations. Mr Bohn will continue to serve as CFO until a permanent replacement has been found. CF confirmed that an external search is currently underway.
“Chris has experience leading most areas of our business and has been instrumental in developing and growing our clean energy strategy. He will continue to drive operational excellence across the organization while managing a range of complex growth initiatives,” said Tony Will, president and CEO, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. “This promotion and his election to the Board recognize his strong leadership and future contributions to CF Industries.”
Mr Bohn has more than 14 years of experience in the nitrogen fertilizer sector. He previously served CF Industries as: senior vice president (SVP), manufacturing and distribution; vice president (VP), supply chain; and VP, corporate planning.
Gordon Dunn became the new COO of Compass Minerals on 21st February. He will have executive management responsibility for all global operations within the company’s salt and plant nutrition businesses. Mr Dunn has managed Compass Minerals’ UK operations since January 2012, having joined the company in October 2007.
“In addition to Gordon’s extensive experience leading safe and responsible operations, his technical expertise will serve us well as we focus on operational efficiencies and cost reduction initiatives across our operating footprint. His deep familiarity with our salt mining assets will be particularly important,” said Edward Dowling Jr, president and CEO. “I’m confident his steady leadership will further bolster the strong performance culture we are building, which we expect will ultimately translate to improved returns for shareholders.”
Mr Dunn brings more than 40 years of mining experience to his new role. Prior to joining Compass Minerals, Dunn held positions of increasing responsibility at: Air Liquide UK Limited, a gas, equipment and services company; Linde Gas, a global multinational chemical company; and UK Coal, the UK’s largest coal mining business.
Mr Dunn Holds an MBA from the University of Hull and a BSc in mining and mining engineering from Nottingham Trent University. He succeeds George Schuller Jr who has left Compass Minerals, having been its COO since September 2019.
