New appointments at Esko

Esko has announced the appointment of Kurt Demeuleneere as chief financial officer, replacing Carsten Knudsen who became president and CEO after Esko’s ownership transitioned to Axcel.

Kurt has a background in economics and throughout his career built up a sound experience in different financial areas. Before joining Esko Graphics, he has been working for Siemens, first as finance director for the telecommunications division, responsible for Africa and the Middle East. Later he became head of corporate finance in The Netherlands, responsible for mergers and acquisitions as well as the finance and strategy process.

Before this Kurt had been working with a number of American companies and was employed as a business consultant with Ernst&Young.

Esko has also announced the appointment of Raf Decaluw as a new independent director to its Board.

Raf Decaluw is chairman of the Board of Laundry Systems Group (LSG), the worldwide market leader in commercial and heavy-duty laundry systems. He is the former CEO of Bekaert, the world’s largest steel wire producer, where he has been overseeing the company's shift away from materials for radial tires to thin metal panels, fibers, and film coatings.

‘With Mr Decaluw’s appointment, we have now completed the new Board for Esko-Graphics,’ said chairman Jean-Claude Deschamps. ‘This strong team brings together years of valuable experience in dynamic high-tech businesses, and will be a great asset for Esko to drive and inspire its strategic development.’