Joris Coppye, Chief Executive Officer

J. Coppye holds an engineering degree from the Louvain University and started his early career with KBC Bank as a foreign trade consultant, in parallel with which he gained both an economics degree and an MBA. In 1998 he left to join the Sibeco Group, which he led through an MBO and subsequently exited via the business' acquisition by Azelis in 2004. As CEO J. Coppye is ultimately responsible for achieving the financial returns set by the Shareholders and for implementing the strategic direction set by the Board.

Michel Dubois, Group Director Strategy and Marketing

M. Dubois holds an MBA in marketing from Amiens University.
In his role as Group Director Strategy & Marketing he acts as the primary contact for new Principals and suppliers, leading in the development of the new business opportunities. He has functional responsibility for the International Business Directors (IBD's), driving excellence in the performance of the various Group Business Areas and developing business synergies across the Group. In addition, Michel will lead the Corporate functions of SHEQ and Business Marketing and Communications.

Günther Kraußer, Chief Financial Officer

Günther Kraußer has joined Azelis group as Chief Financial Officer and member of the board. Based on his previous assignment as CFO of the Mauser group of companies (Germany) he has a strong experience in finance and acquisitions. Prior to Mauser, Günther was in charge of the finance and treasury operations in German businesses, such as Stihl AG & Co. KG and Porsche AG. Günther started his career in 1986 with JP Morgan Chase & Co. in London/Frankfurt and holds a degree in business administration of the University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg (Germany). In Azelis, Günther will complement the Management Team around CEO, Joris Coppye with a particular focus on capitalising further on the group's economies of scale and growth potential. 

Hanco van den Akker, Group Director Business Operations

Hanco van den Akker has an MBA and a BSc in Chemical Engineering. He joined Azelis in November 2008 from Honeywell, where he was responsible for Specialty Chemical sales in EMEA and India. Hanco will be responsible for managing and optimising the business matrix and implementing the Commercial & Principal Strategy as set out by the Group Director Strategy & Marketing and IBD's. Regional MDs and IBDs will report to the CEO via the Business Operations Director.

Alan Peterson, Chairman

Mr. Peterson's experience over the last 20 years includes involvement in a number of businesses across the UK, Europe and North America covering both public and private equity backed companies. He has held the role of CEO or Chairman in a number of manufacturing, industrial and retail companies including Alcan, West & Welsh Holdings, ACI Rockware Group, Meyer International, Rubicon Retail Holdings, Refresco Holdings BV and Paperpak Holdings.
Since 2008, Mr. Peterson has chaired the Azelis Board of Directors, acting as key interface between the Executive Team and the Group's institutional shareholder, 3i.

H U Wenzel, President and Deputy Chairman

Dr. Wenzel began his career in the Chemical Industry working in a number of management roles across activities including mergers, restructuring and divestment for German pharmaceutical and chemicals group Hoechst. He left Hoechst Italia in 1994 to join Alitalia. In 1996, Dr. Wenzel founded Novorchem via the acquisition of Organa srl, a buy and build strategy which ultimately led to the Azelis Group today. He assumes the role of Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of the Main Board and will concentrate his activities on the strategic development of the Group, including the identifying and assisting in the execution of a range of identified acquisitions.