Finance

Akzo Nobel names Fredrik Westin as next CFO

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 3, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Akzo Nobel names Fredrik Westin as next CFO
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(Reuters) -Dulux paint maker Akzo Nobel said on Thursday it had appointed Fredrik Westin as its chief financial officer from January 1, 2026. Westin will succeed Maarten de Vries, who is completing

Akzo Nobel names Fredrik Westin as next CFO

(Reuters) -Dulux paint maker Akzo Nobel said on Thursday it had appointed Fredrik Westin as its chief financial officer from January 1, 2026.

Westin will succeed Maarten de Vries, who is completing his second four-year term as finance chief and will retire from Akzo Nobel in April next year.

Westin has been CFO at Autoliv, the world's biggest maker of airbags and seatbelts, since 2020. He has more than 25 years of international experience in the industrial and automotive sector, Akzo Nobel said.

Akzo Nobel has significantly cut debt after selling its Indian business, but free cash flow remains below expectations due to high working capital and restructuring costs, analysts at Jefferies said in a note.

"This suggests Westin still has a significant headroom to improve cash conversion (and therefore shareholder returns) across the business," the analysts added.

(Reporting by Dimitri Rhodes in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak and Matt Scuffham)

Key Takeaways

  • Fredrik Westin appointed as Akzo Nobel's CFO from January 2026.
  • Westin succeeds Maarten de Vries, retiring in April 2026.
  • Westin has extensive experience in industrial and automotive sectors.
  • Akzo Nobel aims to improve cash conversion under Westin's leadership.
  • Analysts highlight potential for enhanced shareholder returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the new CFO of Akzo Nobel?
Fredrik Westin has been appointed as the new chief financial officer of Akzo Nobel, effective January 1, 2026.
Who is Fredrik Westin succeeding?
Westin will succeed Maarten de Vries, who is retiring after completing his second four-year term as finance chief.
What is Westin's previous experience?
Prior to joining Akzo Nobel, Westin served as CFO at Autoliv, the world's largest manufacturer of airbags and seatbelts, since 2020.
What financial challenges is Akzo Nobel facing?
Akzo Nobel has reduced its debt after selling its Indian business, but analysts indicate that free cash flow is below expectations due to high working capital and restructuring costs.
What do analysts say about Westin's potential impact?
Analysts at Jefferies suggest that Westin has significant potential to improve cash conversion and shareholder returns across the business.

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