After more than four years at the head of Votorantim Cimentos, a building materials and sustainable solutions company, Marcelo Castelli is leaving his position as global CEO to become a member of the Board of Directors. To succeed him, Votorantim Cimentos announces the promotion of Osvaldo Ayres Filho, the company’s current COO, to the position of global CEO.
Castelli, an executive with more than 35 years of experience, including 26 years at Votorantim S.A.’s portfolio companies such as VCP and Fibria, became the CEO of Votorantim Cimentos in February 2019, following the conclusion of the transaction between Fibria and Suzano. Under his leadership, Votorantim Cimentos grew and innovated, made important investments in Brazil, expanded internationally, advanced its go-to-market strategy, strengthened its adjacent businesses, set bold decarbonization targets, improved safety indicators, overcame the COVID-19 pandemic, built a new 2030 strategy, reframed its culture, renewed its branding and evolved its operational and financial performance, increasing its return on capital.
“In agreement with the Board of Directors of Votorantim Cimentos, I’m closing this cycle as global CEO of this wonderful company. As of this month, I will become a member of the company’s Board of Directors. I will continue to follow Votorantim Cimentos and celebrate with them, now in a new role. And there is nothing like leaving a legacy and being part of a solid succession process. My successor will be an in-house talent, Osvaldo Ayres Filho. Believing in internal talent has always been my hallmark and I am happy to, once again, reaffirm my conviction,” said Castelli.
With a career spanning over 25 years, Osvaldo Ayres Filho has worked for companies such as Avon, Fibria and Ciba Chemicals. Working at Votorantim Cimentos since 2012, Osvaldo has held the positions of financial director for the Europe, Asia and Africa region, operations director for the Southeast region in Brazil, financial director for the Brazilian business and global Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Investor Relations Officer (IRO), with additional responsibility for the areas of Strategy, Information Technology (IT), Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Global Procurement. As COO since April 2021, he has been responsible for the cement, logistics and adjacent businesses. Osvaldo holds a degree in Business Administration from Mackenzie Presbyterian University and a postgraduate degree in Administration from the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV).
“I am very happy and honored to assume the position of global CEO of Votorantim Cimentos, a company that I admire and has a culture with which I identify. I appreciate Castelli’s trust and friendship and the support of the Board of Directors and shareholders. I am also grateful to all the mentors and colleagues I have had throughout my journey. Together with our team of more than 13,000 employees, in Brazil and in the other 10 countries where we operate, we will work to make Votorantim Cimentos an increasingly better and more admired company,” said Osvaldo Ayres Filho, new global CEO of Votorantim Cimentos.
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