Dr. Lin Liangqi is the President of AkzoNobel China and Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints, China & North Asia region. Lin joined AkzoNobel in April 2011 form Philips Lighting and was charged with using his real expertise and extensive experience in multi-national business management to drive AkzoNobel’s further growth in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.
In his dual roles, Lin leads AkzoNobel’s operations to capture growth and improve synergy among its various business in China, a highly strategic and important market of AkzoNobel’s global development blueprint and the top market in terms of revenue and number of employees. In his capacity as Managing Director of Decorative Paints China and North Asia, Lin is responsible for driving this business unit to leverage the enormous opportunities in this burgeoning region. Among many well-known brands, “Dulux” has been a great success in China and recognized as one of the “Best Known Brand” by consumers and the industry.
Prior to joining AkzoNobel, Lin was the CEO of Philips Lighting Greater China. In his 17 year tenure with Philips, he held several key roles within the company in Asia.
In addition to having a proven track record of using his solid financial management and an intuitive understanding of the evolving regional market to achieve substantial growth, Lin has also made great contribution to bridging and bringing together companies and communities in European countries and China, thanks to his multi-cultural backgrounds and study, work and life experience in Belgium, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Singapore and mainland China in the past 30+ years.
Lin has been instrumental in promoting China-Europe business relationship. He was Chairman and has been board member of Benelux (Belgium, Netherland and Luxembourg) Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and leads active sponsorship program in China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS). The establishment of China Innovation Centre of CEIBS is one of Lin’s contributions, together with 4 other sponsors.
Lin’s passion for sustainability started already from his tenure with Philips lighting. He leads many CSR projects in China on behalf of AkzoNobel as well. Lin role-models for his company, by advocating more than 100 community projects that not only benefit China’s community development, more importantly make people’s lives more livable and inspiring. AkzoNobel China Student Sustainability Award, recognized as the-first-of-its-kind and a leading award in the field, recognizes and rewards student groups’ contributions made to society by proactively engaging in community service activities. The Award is one of the core programs of the Chinese government’s China Education Support Project, and has helped almost 5 million Chinese students participating in diverse and influential society projects.
In 2015, Lin was given the White Mongolia award by the Shanghai municipal people’s government for his outstanding contribution to his company and society. Lin also received various awards and recognitions from the Chinese governments and the industry for driving sustainable business growth and supporting build sustainable communities.
Born in 1962, Lin holds a PhD in Applied Economic Science and an MBA from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He graduated from Xiamen University in China with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.