Jim McIlvenny, based in the regional headquarters in the UAE, has been named Dow’s president for the India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey (IMEAT) region.
McIlvenny takes the new position in addition to the responsibilities he has held as group senior vice president of Dow since 2010 and chairman of the Dow-Sadara project office since 2011. He has been responsible for leading Dow’s key, large-scale investments designed to meet the growth opportunities of the future and to enhance the long-term profitability of Dow across various geographies. McIlvenny joined Dow in Australia in 1982, and has since held a number of positions in chemical and performance products in the areas of technical service, sales, marketing and business leadership.
Heinz Haller, executive vice president and president of Dow Europe, Middle East, Africa and India said, “The Middle East is a strategic market for Dow and we believe Jim’s extensive knowledge and global experience will help enhance our operations in the region further. Jim is one of the industry’s best and most highly regarded senior executives, and has been at the forefront of one of the largest partnerships Dow has undertaken in the region, the Sadara Chemical Company. He has been a part of Dow for over three decades, and his commitment and values make him the perfect ambassador for us in the region.”
Upon taking the new role, McIlvenny said, “I have been active with the Middle East operations of Dow for the last five years, and I am excited to take on a role which will allow me to help lead the company’s aspirations for the IMEAT region further. With game-changing partnerships such as Sadara and a focus on innovations designed to meet the region’s needs, this is an exciting period for the company and I look forward to working with the regional teams to enable the continued growth and success of our customers and stakeholders through Dow’s cutting-edge products and solutions.”
In his earlier role as president of Dow Greater China, McIlvenny has been an active contributor in the development of a sustainable chemical industry in Asia Pacific through participation in leading sustainability organisations and development of joint partnerships in sustainable chemistry with governments and NGOs in Asia. He served as a board member of Junior Achievement, the world’s largest organisation dedicated to educating students about entrepreneurship, as well as a corporate advisory board member of China Europe International Business School.
