Matthijs de Haan, Sector Leader (EMEA)

The global chemicals industry continues to change as companies move to differentiate themselves; relocate closer to lower cost raw materials and growing markets; and to drive innovation. This has caused many companies to realign themselves along core competencies; aggregate smaller and less efficient companies; accelerate innovation programs; and expand capital investment programs. This changing landscape has also encouraged significant investment by capital rich private equity and hedge funds who are very adept at the execution of change and the enhancement of financial performance. Importantly, all of these dynamics are rapidly draining the global leadership pool of executives who are able to drive success in this environment.

Heidrick & Struggles continues to have the largest and most robust focus on this sector. We have a long standing global practice populated with Partners with in depth experience in this industry who are excited about accelerating the performance of clients in this sector. These clients include corporate enterprises, private equity-backed businesses, and pre-IPO venture capital companies that are focused on innovative technologies in and around this sector. Our global footprint, organizational structure, and the experience of conducting CEO searches for Cabot Corporation, Borealis, Lamson & Sessions, Newell Rubbermaid, Valspar, Momentive Performance Materials and over 750 additional sector-related searches during the past five years allows us to quickly solve complex global leadership needs. We continue to pro-actively develop relationships with highly talented executives so as to have trust and credibility to attract them to our clients' leadership roles.

I addition to senior general management search, we have a variety of unique capabilities to fill key functional leadership needs, and to assess, develop, integrate and coach senior executives or global executive teams in this sector.