LyondellBasell restructures executive team, creates new business units

To align business strategy with execution, business units will now have global responsibility for manufacturing operations.

LyondellBasell announces organizational changes to increase value from existing assets and targeted growth opportunities while accelerating the development of its circular and low carbon solutions to meet increasing market demand. The changes, effective October 1, 2022, signify the deliberate steps LyondellBasell is taking in the company's evolution.  

The company's business unit executive officers will be as follows:

Kimberly Foley, Executive Vice President, Refining, Intermediates and Derivatives

Kenneth Lane, Executive Vice President, Olefins and Polyolefins (O&P)

Torkel Rhenman, Executive Vice President, Advanced Polymer Solutions

James Seward, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer

Yvonne van der Laan, Executive Vice President, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions

To align business strategy with execution, business units will now have global responsibility for manufacturing operations. Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business results will be reported in the O&P segment.

In addition, the following leaders will be the executive officers for the various central functions within the organization:

Tracey Campbell, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs

Dale Friedrichs, Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence and HSE

A new Executive Vice President, People and Culture will be the subject of a future announcement and this team will continue to be led by Friedrichs during the interim period

Michael McMurray and Jeffrey Kaplan will continue as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and General Counsel, respectively.

"I am very pleased to have these passionate and experienced leaders as my executive team to drive LyondellBasell to be the best operator and to make us an even stronger, more sustainable and customer-focused company," said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell CEO. "By leveraging the collective strengths of this team, I am confident we will capture both near and long-term opportunities. Our future-focused mindset will enable us to safely and successfully deliver on our goals, provide best-in-class customer service, advance our sustainability commitments, and create a workplace and culture that drives innovation."

Creating a new Circular and Low Carbon Solutions business unit will provide clear accountability, and enables LyondellBasell to have a differentiated operating model. With an entrepreneurial mindset, this business unit will focus on growth of our Circulen renewable and circular solutions, and accelerate the development of scalable sustainable and circular technologies.

James Guilfoyle will relocate to Rotterdam and assume the role of Senior Vice President O&P Europe, Africa, Middle East and India (EAMEI). 

This realigned organization will create line of sight accountability within each business, elevate focus on operational excellence and accelerate progress in circularity and sustainability, while advancing employee engagement and culture to increase value for all stakeholders.