This past month the World Containerboard Organization (WCO), Brussels, Belgium, reported that the group's board of directors unanimously elected Clemens Willée (photo) as chairman of the board.

Willée is CEO, Packaging Paper, at the Mondi Europe & International Division. He started his professional career at the BASF Group, where he held various positions, from manager in staff functions to Group VP, including a three year assignment in Brazil. Before joining Mondi, he was CEO at Mauser Holding GmbH.

Willée joined Mondi in 2013 as CEO of the Packaging Paper Business Unit. He is of German nationality and holds a PhD degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen (CH). He is married and a father of five children.

He is succeeding Dermot F. Smurfit of Powerflute, who took over the chairmanship – on an interim basis – after Michael Harwood passed away on May 17, 2015.

In his speech, Willée underlined the necessity and importance for the containerboard industry to be represented by a worldwide association, and said that he is proud to follow Mike Harwood and Dermot Smurfit, who both have contributed a lot to the success of the WCO.