Lau to take up CEO role at DESMI
Humphrey Lau has been named as the Chief Executive of pump technology business DESMI, following the decision by long-serving CEO Henrik Sørensen to step down. Sørensen has been CEO at DESMI since 1996, and a shareholder since 2003.
Humphrey Lau will take over as CEO as from 1 December. He is an experienced executive who worked for 16 years with Novo Nordisk and Novozymes and 14 years with Grundfos, where he most recently held the position of Group Senior Vice President, Global Industry Business.
He established Novo Nordisk in China from scratch in 1994. At Novozymes he was in charge of several global business units and responsible for the biofuel’s development in 2005, and in various roles with Grundfos, including CEO of Grundfos China and Regional Managing Director of Western Europe Grundfos, he grew the business significantly.
DESMI is based in Denmark and sells its pump technology and systems to more than 100 countries, and a range of sectors including aquaculture.
Henrik Sørensen said: ”It has been an amazing journey leading this company for more than 26 years, and I am proud to hand over the keys to Humphrey as the company is in good shape and has considerable potential. I am looking forward to continuing this journey as a shareholder and member of the Board of Directors.”
Marc Lindhorst, Principal at One Equity Partners, which entered into agreements to acquire a majority stake in DESMI earlier this year, said: “OEP is extremely pleased to partner with Humphrey as he is an experienced executive with an established reputation having served in leadership roles of two well-respected Danish multinationals. We also thank Henrik for his many years of service to DESMI and look forward to his important role on the Board and as a shareholder.”
Humphrey Lau said: “I am super excited and humble about this opportunity to be able to work together with a world class team at DESMI. Over the years I have followed the impressive development of DESMI under the strong and competent leadership of Henrik Sørensen. Together with the high performing global organisation and support from a very professional owner like OEP, I am confident we can further develop and take DESMI to new heights.”
