Alcan Packaging CEO steps down

Since 2007, Gordon has been president and CEO of Alcan Packaging, where she oversaw the running of the $6.5bn food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging business.

At the company, Gordon has won a number of accolades. In December she was named best executive in the large non-services business category of the Stevie Awards for Women in Business.

Last year she also made Fortune​ magazine’s “International Power 50” list, which ranks the most powerful and influential women executives in international business.

Now Gordon is moving on to cereal manufacturer Corn Products International where she has been appointed chairman, president and CEO.

New appointment at the top​

Stepping into her shoes at Alcan Packaging is Jean-Christophe Deslarzes who is an old hand at the company and has filled a number of senior roles.

Most recently he has been heading up its Downstream Aluminium Business and is now taking on responsibility for running Alcan Packaging at a time when owners Rio Tinto are courting suitors for the company.

Anticipated sale of the business​

Rio Tinto has been looking to find a buyer for Alcan Packaging since acquiring the wider Alcan Group in 2007 for $38bn but has so far failed to attract a big buyer.

Now after sitting on the shelf for over a year, it appears likely that Rio will have to sell the business in bits.

Australian packaging firm Amcor recently came out to express its interest in Alcan Packaging but says that any acquisition will be limited to its “nominated growth segments.”

Amcor CEO Ken MacKenzie admitted that the company was talking to Rio but said that any acquisition would be limited to​flexibles, tobacco packaging, custom PET or select segments in Australasia.