Air Products South Africa has announced that Charles Dos Santos will succeed Rob Richardson as MD with effect from February 1, 2024.
Richardson has led the company since 2016 but has announced his intention to retire at the end of March 2024, which will allow for a smooth leadership transition.
Dos Santos joined Air Products in 1994 and has served the company in various senior management positions.
Since 2016 he has held the position of On-sites GM.
In this role, Dos Santos has successfully led Air Products’ largest business division, which comprises the air separation unit, and the hydrogen and carbon dioxide production operations, the company notes.
This division supplies tonnage gases by pipeline to major industrial consumers and also supplies liquefied gases into Air Products’ downstream Bulk and Packaged Gases businesses.
Prior to 2016, Dos Santos held the position of On-sites sales manager, where he was indicated to be instrumental in the development of various key projects and strategic initiatives, resulting in the company’s successful growth in the platinum group metals and petrochemical sectors.
Dos Santos has a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and a B.Com degree from the University of South Africa.
Air Products South Africa manufactures, supplies and distributes a diverse portfolio of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, equipment and services to the Southern African region.