Press Release - Change of ERT Chairmanship

ERT PRESS RELEASE
BENOÎT POTIER SUCCEEDS LEIF JOHANSSON AS CHAIRMAN OF
THE EUROPEAN ROUND TABLE OF INDUSTRIALISTS
BRUSSELS, 2 June 2014 – The Members of the European Round Table of
Industrialists (ERT) announce that Benoît Potier succeeded Leif Johansson as
ERT Chairman as from 1 June 2014.
Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide, joined ERT in 2007 and was elected
ERT Vice-Chairman in 2010. He said “It is an honour to become Chairman of this
distinguished organisation and to have the opportunity to build on Leif Johansson’s
work for a Europe capable of delivering more growth and jobs for its citizens in a
globalised world.”
Leif Johansson, Chairman of Ericsson (and AstraZeneca), has been the Chairman of
ERT since November 2009. During this time, and against the background of financial
and competitiveness crises, ERT has continued to argue for industrial resurgence
and coherent EU energy policies. In addition, ERT has strongly supported moves to
address unemployment e.g. vocational training, addressing the skills gap as well as
steps to digitalise Europe’s economy.
Benoît Potier’s priorities will be to build on this and to continue putting emphasis on
the need to place industrial competitiveness at the heart of EU policy making.
In particular, a focus on energy costs, the further integration of EU markets,
the digitalisation of the EU economy, the growing skills gap and investment in R&D
are needed for the long-term competitiveness and health of the entire EU industrial
value chain.
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Note to Editors:
The European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) is a forum of 52 leaders of major
companies of European parentage and was created in 1983. These companies are drawn
from a wide range of industry sectors and 18 European countries, and have a combined
turnover exceeding €1,300 billion, sustaining around 6.8 million jobs in the region.
They invest more than €51 billion annually in R&D, largely in Europe; which is equivalent to
18% of total EU R&D expenditure.
Benoît Potier is Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide.
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Born in 1957 – French nationality
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Education:
o Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures (Paris)
o Officer of the Legion of Honor, Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite
o Management programs:
 INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration)
 Wharton International Forum
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Since 1981 with Air Liquide, Benoît Potier has handled many aspects of Air
Liquide’s business.
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Since his appointment as Corporate Chief Executive in 1997, he has assumed
global responsibility for operations and development.
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Benoît Potier has been Chairman and CEO since 2006.
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Memberships:
o Vice President, ERT (European Round Table of Industrialists)
o Director, Danone Group
o Director, École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures
o Member, INSEAD French Council.
His photo is available at: http://bit.ly/1n34CRF (© Stéphane Rémael)
CONTACT:
Brian AGER, Secretary General, ERT Executive
Tel + 32 2 543 10 54 - E-mail: [email protected] - website: www.ert.eu
Follow us on Twitter: @ert_eu

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