Eric Olsen

Eric Olsen is an American-French business executive who served as the Chief Executive Officer of LafargeHolcim, a construction public corporation, until 2017.

Early life Eric Olsen was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, and moved to Chicago, Illinois, at a young age.

Olsen graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1986. He received a Masters in business administration from HEC Paris. Olsen helped integrate employees of the Orascom Group, acquired by Lafarge in 2007, and reorganised the group in 2012. Olsen conducted the $44bn cross border merger and integration of Lafarge with Holcim. He was responsible for "140,000 employees and revenues of about €30bn."

On conclusion of the investigation the board said in a statement on 24 April 2017 regarding Eric Olsen: "Following an in-depth review, the Board has concluded that Eric Olsen was not responsible for, nor thought to be aware of, any wrongdoings that have been identified as part of its review."

However, Olsen announced his resignation on April 24, 2017, saying in a statement that "it will contribute to addressing strong tensions that have recently arisen around the Syria case" although "absolutely not involved in, nor even aware of, any wrongdoing". Olsen welcomed the decision, saying that it restored his honour and allowed him to resume his career.

He left LafargeHolcim on 15 July 2017.

Olsen joined Aliaxis as Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2020. On April 22, 2024, Olsen posted on his LinkedIn profile he would be stepping down due to a "strategic difference" and that Thierry Vanlancker would assume the role of interim Executive Chairman. This announcement was confirmed by a press release on the Aliaxis website which stated Vanlancker, currently Chairman of the Board, would be elevated to Executive Chairman effective May 1, 2024, to facilitate the transition through the second quarter of 2024.

Philanthropy Olsen formerly served as Chair of the American School of Paris.

Olsen became a bi-national, after gaining French citizenship in 2014. He enjoys skiing.