Five minutes with…Ghislain Desjardins, MD, DuPont MENA & Pakistan

How has 2015 been so far for DuPont in the Middle East?

Let me start off introducing our company. DuPont, 213 years old, is an integrated science company focused on agriculture and nutrition, bio-based industrials and advanced materials. In the first quarter, DuPont delivered volume and margin improvements globally and also introduced over 600 new products, a 5 per cent increase from the previous year. In the Middle East, primarily in the GCC with our local presence in Saudi Arabia and UAE, we’ve seen double digit growth.

Which are segments within your industry that are showing the strongest growth?

Nutrition & health, the safety & protection segment which includes protection technologies and sustainable solutions.

What are the biggest challenges that you currently face?

Compared with other geographies in the world, the size and the geopolitical situation of our region are limiting some investments. The retention of our regional talents is also key for the success of our businesses and the sustainability of our performances.

Are you looking at expanding operations this year?

DuPont is well positioned for accelerated and sustainable growth in the Middle East, which represents one of the fastest-growing markets for the company.

Our priorities in the Middle East are very focused: food and nutrition, safety and protection, sustainable solutions and construction. These industries are also the same ones that are currently facing challenges in our region.

Will you be hiring in the next six months?

We see strong growth opportunities for our consulting Services, part of our sustainable solutions business and also for our nutrition & health business, both fueling our recruitments in the region.

What’s your leadership style?

I strongly believe that regardless of the life stage, it’s critical that a person continues to progress in gaining experience or new skills. Grit and persistence is key. I have always focused on people as they are the one to give you or to exceed the performances and the result you expect.

Three tips for becoming the boss…

1. Listen.
2. Be resilient.
3. Mediocrity is not an option.