On October 1st, 2012 Alexander Collot
d'Escury took up his new role as CEO of Desso Holding BV ('Desso'),
the European carpet and sports systems manufacturer. He takes over
from Stef Kranendijk, who becomes Chairman of the Supervisory Board
with a special responsibility for implementing and communicating
Desso's Cradle to Cradle® strategy.
Alexander steps into his new role after five years
working as Desso's Chief Commercial Officer, where he had a key
role generating business sales and growth in the tough economic
conditions of recent years. He was also one of the drivers behind
Desso's Cradle to Cradle® design approach. Alexander will maintain
Desso's commitment to implementing Cradle to Cradle® design along
with its other innovation drivers of creativity and
functionality. He will also focus on the company's vision to
make floors that meet customer needs and contribute to health and
well-being in the indoor environment.
"As human beings we spend on average 90% of our time indoors. At
home, in the office, whilst travelling, staying in hotels and so
on," says Alexander. "This insight has led Desso to its company
vision: 'How to make the Floor work for our Health and
Well-being'."
Alexander began his career working for Sara Lee with a focus on
the Dutch coffee brand Douwe Egberts before moving to Nestlé, where
he gained 13 years of valuable international management experience.
As Regional Director of Nestlé Purina Petcare in Central Europe, he
was posted to Budapest (2006-07). Immediately prior to that, he
worked in Switzerland as part of Nestlé's European management team
responsible for Beverages, Confectionery and a number of country
markets (2005-2006).
Alexander has also worked as the General Manager of Nestlé Food
Services in the Netherlands (2002-2005) and held various marketing
and sales leadership roles in the Netherlands, Spain and the Czech
Republic.
Besides Desso, Alexander is a member of the Advisory Board of the
Hogere Hotelschool, the hotel management school based in Maastricht
as well as being a member of the board of the PAN Foundation in
Amsterdam, a modern-day art fair.
« " We want Desso to be the world leader in making environmentally responsible flooring products that deliver outstanding value in design and functionality and thus contribute to people's health and well-being." » He also paid tribute to the employees at Desso who have enabled the company to thrive even during some of the most challenging economic times in recent memory.
Alexander Collot d'Escury (CEO Desso Group)