Jacek Olczak has been elected president of Philip Morris International (PMI), the company said. He is the first Pole in history to be the CEO of a global company.

"I am very happy that Jacek will be the new CEO. I have been working with him for decades and I know perfectly well that his approach to the company, employees, as well as his focus on achieving results and in-depth knowledge of our products, values ​​, and investors make him an ideal leader, during my seven years as CEO, we have prepared PMI for the future and created better science-based alternatives for adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke. We have a globally leading portfolio of traditional and smokeless products, we have an outstanding management team, and an agile, efficient, and fast-learning organization around the world. We are perfectly equipped to continue to be successful," outgoing PMI CEO André Calantzopoulos, said.

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead PMI. Working alongside André on PMI's transformation, we have built the capabilities to continue delivering the unsmoked vision and beyond. I am committed to continuing to work with André in his new role and with the entire team at PMI to deliver on the enormous business opportunity of a smoke-free future, to the benefit of our consumers, shareholders, and society," Jacek Olczak commented.

Mr. Olczak, 55, has enjoyed a long career with Philip Morris. He joined the company in 1993 and worked in finance and general management positions across Europe, including as Managing Director of PMI's markets in Poland and Germany and as President of the European Union Region before his appointment as CFO of PMI in 2012. He holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Łódź, Poland.

(money.pl, businesswire.com)