Class of 2023: Top 10 Breakthrough Executives of the Year in Romania – Part 2

2023 was a very prolific year regarding new executive appointments. Business Review followed these closely through the dedicated Who’s News articles published regularly on our website and featured monthly as a special column in the print magazine.

We also followed closely with the accomplishments and highlights of these new executives throughout the year, so without further ado, Business Review presents the Class of 2023: a top 10 of the new executives appointed this year in Romania.

Because making an impact as a new executive requires time, for this top 10 article we only considered appointments made in H1 2023.

The list is compiled in chronological order of the appointment. The second installment of this two-part story features the top 5 five appointments made in Q2 2023, from April to June.

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Class of 2023: Top 10 Breakthrough Executives of the Year in Romania – Part 1

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Read the first installment, featuring the appointments made in Q1 2023 (January-March).

6. Jorge Araya, the new General Manager of BAT Romania since April 2023.

Jorge Araya assumed the pivotal role of General Manager at BAT Romania and Director of the newly formed South-Eastern Europe Area, marking a significant juncture in the company’s transformative journey. With a career spanning over 25 years at BAT, Jorge has garnered extensive experience across various senior leadership roles within the AmSSA region, demonstrating a proven track record of progressive leadership and strategic vision.

His journey within BAT commenced in Chile in 1995, where Jorge embarked on a trajectory of impactful contributions across multiple spheres within the organization. His illustrious career has seen him hold pivotal positions such as Head of Brands Mexico, Marketing Director in Chile, Marketing Director in Brazil, and notably, as the Head of Marketing for the Americas region at Reynolds, where he spearheaded all U.S. marketing functions, including consumer, trade, and digital marketing.

Jorge’s transition to the role of General Manager at BAT Romania and Director of the South-Eastern Europe Area stands as a testament to his adept leadership and profound commitment to BAT’s purpose-led initiatives. He emphasizes the significance of this new phase as an essential milestone in the company’s transformation journey, recognizing BAT’s presence in Romania for over 25 years and its remarkable performance in contributing significantly to the local economy.

In alignment with BAT’s overarching strategy, Jorge articulates a firm commitment to further investments in employees, manufacturing facilities, and the forefront of science and innovation. His vision centers on the development of reduced-risk products, underscoring BAT’s steadfast dedication to realizing “A Better Tomorrow.” Jorge Araya’s leadership, characterized by his strategic foresight and dedication to driving transformation, is poised to elevate BAT’s footprint across Romania and the extensive South-Eastern Europe Area.

7. Paolo Vivona, the new General Manager & CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Romania since April 2023.

Paolo Vivona stepped into the pivotal role of General Manager & CEO and Chairman of the Management Committee at Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Romania’s subsidiary of Intesa Sanpaolo. With a rich tapestry of experience spanning over 33 years in the banking realm, he brings forth a wealth of expertise in steering business development, strategic governance, and fostering robust organizational cultures.

Throughout his career, encompassing 24 years in various management capacities, Paolo Vivona has navigated diverse banking markets on an international scale. His journey encapsulates a spectrum of roles, spanning operational, senior, and top management, where he adeptly helmed projects of varying scopes—from pioneering ventures to transformational endeavors across different market landscapes within the Intesa Sanpaolo Group.

Paolo’s professional journey commenced in 1989 within the Italian banking system, where he swiftly ascended from operational and back-office roles to managing corporate endeavors. His global odyssey began in 1996 when he assumed the mantle of Area Manager for Middle Eastern and Chinese countries, a role that propelled him to Beijing as Chief Representative in 1998, concurrently overseeing the Shanghai Representative Office. His responsibilities were instrumental in amplifying commercial trade and fostering stronger ties between China and Italy’s financial landscapes.

Experiencing the tumult of the late 2000 Asian market crisis firsthand while serving as Japan Branch Manager, Paolo’s expertise matured through crisis management and strategic resilience. From 2009 onward, his journey within Intesa Sanpaolo’s international subsidiary banks fortified, assuming pivotal positions like Vice President for Risk Management in Bank of Qingdao (China), Chief Risk Officer in Bank of Alexandria (Egypt), Chief Financial Officer in CIB Bank (Hungary), and further executive roles at VUB Bank (Slovakia).

His trajectory within Intesa Sanpaolo’s Chief Lending Officer Area culminated in key responsibilities for underwriting and monitoring the quality of the credit portfolio of the International Subsidiary Banks Division, spanning eleven subsidiary banks across twelve countries. Over the past decade, Paolo has significantly contributed as a board member to multiple banks and financial institutions within the Intesa Sanpaolo Group across Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, and Italy.

In his inaugural statement as CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Paolo Vivona emphasized Romania’s strategic importance. He outlines a vision for the long-term business plan, prioritizing the development of corporate, SME, and retail segments, alongside an unwavering commitment to fortify digitalization efforts. Paolo’s leadership, propelled by team spirit and the collaborative strength of the Group, sets an ambitious course for Intesa Sanpaolo Bank’s continued success in the Romanian market.

8. Roxana Botea, the new Country Director of Janssen Romania since May 2023.

Roxana Botea became the inaugural female Country Director for Janssen Romania, leveraging over 16 years of industry expertise to pioneer groundbreaking initiatives.

Her journey embodies a global perspective, having traversed influential roles across Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium, where she meticulously orchestrated multifaceted cross-functional teams and spearheaded transformative projects to bolster patient support on a global scale.

Returning to Romania after a significant hiatus of nine years, Roxana Botea shoulders a resolute mission—to uplift the quality of life for Romanian patients. With a seasoned and adept team at her side, her vision converges on introducing novel medicines and therapeutic advancements across critical medical domains. These encompass blood cancers, solid tumors, rare diseases, autoimmune conditions, and psychiatric ailments, ensuring Romanian patients gain access to cutting-edge therapies.

Celebrating Janssen Romania’s 30-year milestone in medical innovation, Roxana remains steadfast in the organization’s commitment to nurturing the healthcare landscape. Janssen’s formidable portfolio spans six pivotal therapeutic arenas, catering to profound medical exigencies in hematology, oncology, psychiatry, neuroscience, immunology, infectious diseases, cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, and pulmonary hypertension.

Beyond its medical endeavors, Janssen Romania stands as a pillar within key industry associations, fortifying its presence within various influential bodies such as the Romanian Association of International Medicines Manufacturers (ARPIM), American Chamber of Commerce in Romania (AmCham), and other vital forums.

The company’s strategic initiatives, emblematic of its profound societal impact, include pivotal collaborations with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila” in Bucharest (UMFCD), an instrumental force in nurturing healthcare innovation. Additionally, initiatives like Hackathon4Health, a flagship project catalyzing progress in digital health, and the WiSTEM2D program—championing the involvement of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, manufacturing, and design—showcase Janssen’s commitment to fostering education and innovation, impacting over 25,000 students and 470 teachers across the country.

Roxana Botea’s visionary leadership exemplifies a dedication to transforming healthcare paradigms, fostering access to cutting-edge medical therapies, and empowering the next generation within the realms of science and technology, ensuring Janssen Romania continues to be an unwavering champion in advancing healthcare and societal progress.

9. Mathieu Bauduin, the new CEO of Leroy Merlin Romania since June 2023.

Mathieu Bauduin’s ascent to the helm of Leroy Merlin Romania as CEO marks the fruition of a seasoned retail career and an unwavering dedication to transformative leadership within the industry. With an extensive background spanning over 16 years, Mathieu has emerged as a trailblazer, poised to amplify the retailer’s impact in construction, decoration, and gardening.

At 36 years old, Mathieu brings a wealth of experience and a distinct professional journey, commencing his retail trajectory following an injury that transitioned him from a former professional athlete. His foray into the retail landscape unfolded through an internship program during an international trade master’s program at Auchan Le Havre, France—a retailer under the ADEO group—providing a pivotal segue into the world of retail and Leroy Merlin.

His steadfast progression within Auchan, spanning seven years, culminated in roles as the TV Sales Manager and Auchan Drive Manager, paving the way for his transition to Leroy Merlin France in 2014. His ascent within Leroy Merlin was marked by an evolution from a Store Sector Manager to ultimately assuming the role of Regional Director, marking his arrival in Romania in 2021 as the North-East Regional Director.

As Mathieu stepped into his new role, his mission aligned with furthering Leroy Merlin’s legacy in Romania. He is resolute in consolidating sustainable progress and fortifying the retailer’s footprint by amplifying omnichannel endeavors, fostering team expertise, expanding the store network, and forging strategic partnerships. His vision emphasizes a holistic approach encompassing economic, human, and environmental dimensions, reflecting Leroy Merlin’s commitment to people-centric development, environmental stewardship, and societal well-being.

Leroy Merlin’s landmark refurbishment of its flagship store in the Colosseum Shopping Park stands as a testament to the retailer’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. This comprehensive overhaul, culminating in an investment of EUR 3.5 million, signals the retailer’s dedication to enriching customer experiences and streamlining access to home and garden products.

Mathieu Bauduin’s stewardship at Leroy Merlin Romania embodies a commitment to fortify the retailer’s standing as a trusted partner for happy home design, underpinned by quality, affordability, and a steadfast dedication to community-centric endeavors.

10. Nicolas Richard, the new CEO of ENGIE Romania since June 2023.

Nicolas Richard stands on the precipice of a new chapter as the new CEO of ENGIE Romania, equipped with a robust 23-year tenure within the energy industry and a profound legacy within the ENGIE Group. His journey epitomizes a profound commitment to steering energy transition, decarbonization, and fostering sustainable solutions.

Nicolas’s entrée into the ENGIE Group in 2000 laid the foundation for an illustrious career marked by a diverse array of experiences and pivotal roles across the group’s core facets—Distribution, Supply, Energy Management, and Solutions. His early career strides culminated in a pivotal role within the International Directorate of Gaz de France, a predecessor of ENGIE, where he contributed to the privatization process of Distrigaz Sud, a seminal step in the formation of ENGIE Romania.

His global trajectory within ENGIE burgeoned, encompassing strategic roles overseeing natural gas sales for corporate customers across multiple countries like Italy, Hungary, and Austria, showcasing his adeptness in catering to diverse markets. A testament to his multifaceted expertise, he subsequently spearheaded energy procurement for a substantial client portfolio in Romania, solidifying his foothold in shaping energy strategies within the local landscape.

Nicolas’s professional pilgrimage was further adorned with a stint in France, where he led an ENGIE subsidiary dedicated to pioneering energy services and sustainable solutions for corporate entities and municipalities, underscoring his commitment to holistic energy solutions. His return to Romania in 2016 ushered in a new phase, marked by a heightened focus on marketing and sales. His pivotal role as Deputy General Manager in 2021 underscored his ascendancy within ENGIE Romania, setting the stage for his impending stewardship as the CEO.

Assuming the mantle of CEO at ENGIE Romania, Nicolas espouses a profound commitment to amplifying the decarbonization strategy and fostering renewable assets. His vision is anchored in a robust pursuit of transitioning networks to distribute low CO2 emission gases, epitomizing ENGIE Romania’s dedication to sustainable energy frameworks.

Nicolas Richard’s elevation to CEO represents not just a shift in leadership but a testament to ENGIE’s commitment to steering towards a sustainable, eco-friendly future. His tenure is poised to champion innovation, sustainability, and transformative energy solutions, steering ENGIE Romania towards a pioneering role in the realm of green energy and sustainable practices.