Hempel announces joint interim CEO leadership as part of succession process
Hempel’s Board of Directors appoints Peter la Cour Gormsen and Emilie Barriau as joint interim CEOs of the company to ensure continuity during CEO succession process.
Key messages:
- Hempel appoints Peter la Cour Gormsen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Emilie Barriau, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer as joint interim CEOs, effective 12 June 2026, as part of the company’s CEO succession process.
- The joint interim CEO leadership ensures continuity and strong leadership capacity while the Board progresses the search for Hempel’s next CEO.
Copenhagen, 4 June 2026: With effect from 12 June 2026, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Peter la Cour Gormsen and Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Emilie Barriau will jointly assume the role of interim CEO of Hempel, with equal responsibility and authority.
The interim CEO leadership follows the previously announced resignation of Michael Hansen.
Peter la Cour Gormsen and Emilie Barriau will continue in their current roles while jointly leading the company during the interim period.
The joint interim CEO leadership ensures continuity and strong leadership capacity while the Board continues the CEO succession process, which is well underway.
The Executive Group Management will continue to work closely together under the joint interim CEO leadership to ensure continued progress on Hempel’s Accelerate to win strategy. Governance and decision‑making structures remain unchanged, and the Board of Directors will continue to oversee the company closely throughout the transition.
Commenting on the interim leadership setup, Richard Sand, Chair of the Board, says: “The Board has full confidence in the joint interim CEO leadership of Peter la Cour Gormsen and Emilie Barriau. Together, they bring complementary strengths and a deep understanding of Hempel’s business and customer solutions, providing balanced and effective leadership while the CEO succession process continues. Hempel remains firmly focused on executing its strategy and delivering value for customers, employees and partners.”
Michael Hansen’s last day as Group President & CEO of Hempel will be 11 June 2026.
Reflecting on the transition, Michael Hansen says: “As I prepare to conclude my time as CEO of Hempel, I am confident that the new interim leadership will maintain momentum during the transition.”
He adds: “I am proud of what we have achieved together at Hempel and grateful for the dedication and professionalism of colleagues across the organisation. Hempel stands on a strong foundation, and I am confident the company will continue to move forward while the Board completes the CEO succession process.”
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Press contact:
Ann Lauritzen Steel
Head of Media Relations
Email: ASTE@hempel.com
Tel: +45 30772027
About Hempel
As a world-leading supplier of trusted coating solutions, Hempel is a global company with strong values, working with customers in the decorative, marine, infrastructure and energy industries. Hempel factories, R&D centres and stock points are established in every region.
Across the globe, Hempel’s paints and coatings protect and beautify buildings, infrastructure and other assets, and play an essential role in our customers’ businesses. They help minimise maintenance costs, improve aesthetics and increase energy efficiency.
We are guided by our purpose - Make our world last longer, beautifully - which is our shared call to action: to protect what matters, enhanced by colour and craftsmanship.
Hempel was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1915. It is majority owned by the Hempel Foundation, which ensures a solid economic base for the Hempel Group and supports cultural, social, humanitarian and scientific purposes around the world.
