Sam O’Leary to replace Meddah Hadjar as CEO of SLM Solutions
January 22, 2021
SLM Solutions Group AG, Lübeck, Germany, reports that Meddah Hadjar, the company’s CEO and member of the management board, has informed the supervisory board that, due to personal circumstances, he will leave the company at the end of January 2021. The supervisory board has unanimously approved the appointment of Sam O’Leary as its new CEO.
O’Leary joined the company in December 2019 as COO and his deep experience in the Additive Manufacturing industry has reportedly been instrumental to SLM Solutions significantly improving its product portfolio and all its production-related processes, as well as overseeing the successful development of SLM’s NXG XII 600 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machine.
“Sam has played an integral part in successfully rebuilding SLM Solutions since he joined the company,” stated Thomas Schweppe, chairman of the supervisory board of SLM Solutions. “He is highly trusted among employees and customers alike and, as one of the global leaders in the industry, Sam is the best person to drive SLM Solutions‘ growth and excellence to the next level.”
In 2020, O’Leary agreed to extend his management board contract until November 2024, and, in addition to his current portfolio, he will permanently take over the responsibilities for Corporate Development, Strategy and HR.
O’Leary commented, “I’m excited to take over the leadership at such an exciting time for the company. With the changes to the organisation and key processes we have made and the additional strong talent we brought into the company over the past eighteen months, we have been able to put SLM Solutions back on a path of success. Importantly we were able to add the industry-defining NXG XII 600 to our product portfolio. The customer response we have received since its launch has exceeded even our high expectations.”
SLM Solutions states that in terms of further additions to the management team the supervisory board has started a process to find suitable candidates for the role of a Chief Commercial Officer to take over some of Hadjar’s other responsibilities permanently.
André Witt has been appointed to the management board temporarily until another member has been appointed. Witt currently serves as the company’s General Counsel.
Hadjar will remain connected to SLM Solutions by becoming an advisor to the company and, based on the support of SLM Solutions‘ largest shareholders and subject to the nomination by the nomination committee of the supervisory board and confirmation by the shareholders’ meeting, it is considered that he will join the supervisory board of SLM Solutions Group AG.
The supervisory board offers its thanks Hadjar for his achievements at SLM Solutions and wishes him well.
