Barco has revealed that CEO Eric Van Zele plans to retire later this year and Jan De Witte (pictured) will take over the role from 1 October 2016.
De Witte has been appointed CEO-designate and will join Barco’s Core Leadership Team in June. Van Zele will continue to serve on the board of directors to ensure continuity of leadership and strategic focus for the company.
Charles Beauduin, chairman of the board, explained: “Under Eric’s leadership, Barco became a global market and technology leader as well as a more focused and leaner organisation. His drive for strategic innovation and customer intimacy has helped to harness Barco’s entrepreneurial culture and shift the company’s strategic direction towards more value-added software-enabled and networked solutions. The board is looking forward to continuing to benefit from his insights and contributions to ensure Barco’s future success.
“Following a thorough review process, the board determined Jan De Witte to be the right candidate to continue to strengthen Barco’s global leadership aspirations. Jan’s experience in leading global organisations combined with his background in value-added software and services make him the right executive to move Barco forward into its next phase of growth. Given his proven track record of developing new markets, driving operational efficiencies and managing product development, the board is confident that Barco, under Jan’s leadership, will continue to deliver sustainable profitable growth.”
De Witte was until recently president and CEO of General Electric’s global healthcare IT activity and has been a company officer since 2007. Before General Electric, he spent five years at McKinsey & Company in Brussels, Amsterdam and Zurich where he served clients in the industrial and transportation sector. Between 1987 and 1991, De Witte held positions in supply chain and production management at The Procter & Gamble Company in its Belgium operations.
Van Zele, commented: “I am extremely proud of and grateful for what we have accomplished since I became CEO in 2009. The Barco family is a superb organisation with very talented and competent colleagues dedicated to innovation and customer service. It has been a privilege to serve Barco’s people, customers and shareholders. I am confident that Jan will prove to be the right candidate to lead this company and I really look forward to working with him over the next months to ensure a seamless CEO transition.”
