Nicolas Alchal, Managing Director for KONE Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Strategy & Transformation as of Jan 1, 2025. He will succeed Axel Berkling who was appointed Executive Vice President, Commercial & Operations in October 2023. Before starting in this role in the beginning of 2025, Nicolas will act as an interim Executive Vice President for Europe Area, from March 1, 2024, onwards, when the current position holder, Karla Lindahl, starts her maternity leave. Karla will return to the position of Executive Vice President, Europe in early 2025.
The search for Nicolas’ successor has commenced. Nicolas started his career at KONE in 2011 and has held several leadership positions within the company, including New Equipment Business Director and Delivery Operations Director for South Europe, Middle East and Africa, and previously Managing Director for UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
Kaori Uehigashi has been named interim Executive Vice President for Strategy & Transformation organization as of January 4, 2024, and she will act in this position until the end of 2024. Kaori is currently Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and has most recently acted as the Managing Partner for BCG in Finland.
Both Nicolas and Kaori will report to Philippe Delorme, President and CEO of KONE as of January 1, 2024.
“I want to thank Axel for his excellent job in leading our Strategy & Transformation organization, and warmly welcome Nicolas and Kaori to the Executive Board. I also want to wish all the best for Karla and her family on this happy occasion”, says Henrik Ehrnrooth, President and CEO of KONE Corporation.
