#Textile chemistry

2023-01-18

Ib Jensen takes over from Jan Secher as new CEO of Perstorp Group

Ib Jensen (right) takes over from Jan Secher (left) as new CEO of Perstorp Group. (Photo: Perstorp)

Effective March 1st, Ib Jensen takes over from Jan Secher as Chief Executive Officer of Perstorp Group, a leading specialty chemicals company headquartered in Malmö, Sweden and since 2022 part of PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG). Ib Jensen is a highly respected senior industry executive with a long career as CFO and extensive experience from M&A and integration of acquired companies, something that will be required in the next phase for Perstorp.

After more than 9 successful years as the CEO of Perstorp Group, Jan Secher has decided to step down. This decision is based on a personal direction set more than a year ago, prior to the acquisition by PCG, allowing for a full search process to be conducted for his replacement. Ib Jensen has been CFO of Perstorp for the past year and was considered the most qualified candidate based on his knowledge of the company, long term experience of the specialty chemicals industry and high level of appreciation in both Perstorp as well as in PCG. Previous experience include CFO and executive roles within Finance and IT at companies such as Arxada, Lonza, Syngenta, Danisco and LEGO.

“I have had the pleasure to lead Perstorp through an exciting transformation, which has formed the company to what we are today; a sustainability frontrunner with a growing share of specialty chemicals in the portfolio. This has been the crowning of my professional career and I have been surrounded with fantastic and inspiring people. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all, externally as internally for a tremendous support. The company is entering a new chapter in its more than 140 year history and with PCG as our owner, a series of opportunities are opening well beyond what we have seen in the past. It serves as the perfect timing to hand over the reins to a most capable leader. I am proud of the company and the extraordinary team that Ib now takes over to lead. I wish him and the team all the success in the future”, Jan Secher comments.

“On behalf of PCG, I am delighted to welcome Ib, as the new CEO of Perstorp. He is an experienced executive leader, with a strong and deep understanding of the specialty chemicals industry on top of a solid track record in business optimization and financial management. He plays a key leadership role in the integration of Perstorp into the PCG family, while ensuring that Perstorp’s business is uninterrupted. His insights, knowledge and leadership will be invaluable as we work towards unlocking the synergies between Perstorp and PCG, in bringing the company through its next phase. We look forward to working with him.

I also would like to put on record my appreciation and gratitude to Jan for his contribution for the past nine years. As the CEO, he led the company through challenging times, which required innovative solutions and decisions and has been instrumental to Perstorp’s achievements and growth in the specialty business. More importantly, he helped to steer the company to play a pioneering role in sustainability particularly in the development of pro-environment solutions for its customers. I am confident that Perstorp will continue to benefit from the foundation that he has built,” says Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof, PCG Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

“It is an honor to take over as CEO from Jan Secher and I look forward to lead Perstorp in this new exciting phase. With PCG as the new owners, their commitment and the support from the strong Executive Leadership Team, I feel confident about a successful time ahead of us”, Ib Jensen comments.

Jan Secher remains in the CEO role until March 1st and will thereafter serve as an advisor to the new CEO and the Chairman, focusing on strategy and transferring external relationships. Monica Jönsson, currently deputy CFO, will take on the role as CFO when Ib Jensen assumes the position as CEO. PCG is fully committed to the Executive Leadership Team of Perstorp and expects the team to continue the successful integration work as well as dealing with the volatile global macro situation.

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