Lafont wants Lafarge-Holcim chief to have industry experience

Bruno Lafont, the chief executive of cement group Lafarge, has told French newspaper Le Monde that he wants the boss of the merged Lafarge-Holcim company to be someone with industry experience who also has the ability to create value for its shareholders.

Lafont, who was originally named in the role himself but has since been appointed to the position of chairman following complaints by Holcim shareholders, will during the next fortnight put forward a new candidate for the position.

As published in the newspaper on Saturday, he said: "For me, there should be a leader able to drive and unify the teams, a cement expert who already has good knowledge of the industry and the company, and with a true culture of value creation for shareholders."

Under the agreement, Lafarge shareholders will receive nine Holcim shares for every 10 Lafarge ones they hold, compared to the original terms of a one-for-one swap.