LYNGBY, Denmark — Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer and member of the Executive Management Board of Hempel A/S. She succeeds Peter Kirkegaard, who has accepted a new opportunity outside Hempel.

Vilhelmsen has been Talent Management Director at Hempel since she joined from Maersk Line in 2017, and she has delivered remarkable results in a few years.

Lars Petersson, Group President and CEO of Hempel, said, “Pernille is professional, personable, grounded and has a special way of combining high personal integrity with high interest in others. She has been very successful in her current role and comes with previous solid senior experience from both business and people roles in an international context. I have no doubt she will be a great contributor as we start to deploy our new strategy. I am especially satisfied that we were able to find an internal talent who is ready to enter the Executive Management Board.”

Vilhelmsen commented, “I am very excited to continue the work that Peter started and proud that Lars and the board have invited me to be part of driving our ambitious growth journey. We have a strong foundation for people and culture to build on, and I look forward to continuing and accelerating our contribution, enabling our leaders and employees to succeed in doubling Hempel. Three and a half years ago, Hempel became my professional family, welcoming me with open arms. I could not be happier to continue working with this great company and wonderful colleagues in my new capacity.”

Kirkegaard leaves Hempel after 13 years to become the Chief Human Resource Officer at Haldor Topsoe A/S, beginning on Jan. 1, 2021. 

Petersson said, “I would like to thank Peter for his tremendous effort over the time we have worked together as colleagues. During this time, Peter has, together with his team, put People & Culture on Hempel’s core agenda and thereby brought Hempel into the modern world. I wish Peter all the best in the future.”