Management profile
Stef Kranendijk
Chief Executive Officer
Stef has many years of experience in investing and running a variety of companies, most recently as CEO of Desso (since April 2007). In addition, he is co-owner and partner of an asset management firm, and was until 2009 Board Member of Sterling Strategic Value Ltd., a reputed investment firm taking positions in public companies. Over the past ten years Stef has served on the boards of several other companies. Prior to his independent entrepreneurship, Stef was President Europe, Middle East & Africa of Stanley Works, a US based S&P 500 company (1998-2000). Before that he spent two decades at Procter & Gamble in senior leadership positions, including regional Vice President P&G Central & Eastern Europe (1997-1998), Vice President & General Manager P&G Germany (1994-1997) and General Manager P&G Netherlands (1991-1994).
Tom Francken
Chief Financial Officer
Tom's job history at Desso started already six years ago. Between 2001 and 2007 he was the driving force behind the launch of the Financial Shared Services Centre, the implementation of Sox 404 and all kind of different tax / financial projects within Desso. During the same period, Tom undertook financial consultancy assignments for different companies as a partner in a financial consultancy Firm. Previous employment includes positions as Finance Director for Mijnmaatschappij Group, a limestone pit and concrete plant based in Curaçao, Financial Manager Remco Ruimtebouw Group, and General Manager Finance & Control at Van Gils Group, a textile production company based in Essen, Belgium. Between 1985 and 1992 Tom held various controllers positions of Akzo Nobel pharmaceutical companies in Belgium, Mexico and Spain.
Pierre van Trimpont
Chief Operations Officer
Pierre has many years of experience in the textile business. He joined Desso from Centexbel, a Belgian textile research and test centre, where he fulfilled the position of General Manager. Prior to that Pierre worked for Sioen NV, a company that is quoted on the Brussels Stock Exchange, where he was responsible for the apparel side of the group's business. In his position of CEO he oversaw operations and financials for all the production sites and logistic centres, covering six countries. Pierre also worked for Louis de Poortere in Belgium and Filartois, a French yarn supplier. His textile career began in 1988 when he occupied the role of Production Manager for Belgium based carpet manufacturer Associated Weavers.
Alexander Collot d'Escury
Chief Commercial Officer
Alexander joined Desso from Nestlé S.A. and has many years of commercial and general management experience in a variety of countries. He started his career with Sara Lee / DE, and has worked the last 13 years with Nestlé. Alexander was Regional Director Nestlé Purina Petcare Central Europe, Budapest (2006-2007). He was part of Nestlé's European management responsible for Beverages, Confectionery and a number of markets, Switzerland (2005-2006). Before that General Manager Nestlé FoodServices Netherlands (2002-2005). Alexander also held various marketing- and sales leadership roles in the Netherlands, Spain and the Czech Republic. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Hogere Hotelschool Maastricht.
