New chairman for Lafarge

Bruno Lafont has replaced Bertrand Collomb as Lafarge's chairman.

Mr Lafont had been CEO of the company since January 1 2006 and his appointment as chairman is in recognition of his contribution to the Group since then, said the Board in a statement.

Mr Collomb was chairman and CEO of the Lafarge Group from 1989 to 2003, and then chairman of the Board.

He has now been made Honorary Chairman of the Group.

Lafarge is a world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all of its businesses: cement, aggregates & concrete and gypsum. It employs 71000 people in over 70 countries, and posted sales of € 17 billion (US$ 22,8 billion) in 2006.