ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ecolab Inc. reports that Christophe Beck, currently Ecolab’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Douglas Baker Jr. as the company’s chief executive officer effective Jan. 1, 2021, becoming president and chief executive officer.
Beck also has been elected to Ecolab’s board of directors.
Baker, currently Ecolab’s chairman and chief executive officer, will retire as chief executive officer but continue as board chairman.
“I am thrilled the board of directors has named Christophe as my successor and believe he is the perfect choice,” says Baker. “He has been a great leader and a great partner in advancing and building Ecolab’s strategy and business. Since joining Ecolab in 2007, he has excelled in a succession of increasing and varied responsibilities across our company, helping us strengthen our business, build our teams, enhance our capabilities and shape a stronger future.
“He is a great business leader, and even more importantly, a good person. His passion, commitment, vision and innovative spirit will serve our people, our customers and our shareholders well.”
Beck, 52, joined Ecolab in 2007. He currently serves as Ecolab’s president and chief operating officer. He previously served as executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Nalco Water business. Before that, Beck was the company’s executive vice president and president, International Regions.
Prior to his International Regions role, Beck was executive vice president and president of global integration, overseeing the integration of the Nalco acquisition. Beck’s earlier roles at Ecolab included executive vice president, Institutional Sector; senior vice president and general manager, Institutional Foodservice-North America; and senior vice president, Corporate Marketing and Strategy.
Prior to joining Ecolab in 2007, Beck was an executive at Nestlé for 16 years.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity, and thank the board for their confidence in me,” says Beck. “I also want to thank Doug for his consistent support and guidance during my career at Ecolab, and for the opportunities that helped prepare me for this role. We hold the same vision for Ecolab and share the same commitment to our people, our customers, our communities and our shareholders.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].