PPG appoints John Smith VP, Architectural Coatings EMEA; Steve Pocock to retire
- John Smith will become vice president, architectural coatings, EMEA, effective July 1, 2026.
- Steve Pocock has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2026.
- Smith has more than 25 years of international leadership experience and was most recently executive vice president and general manager at Signify, leading the global connected lighting business.
- Pocock joined Sigma Kalon in early 2000, progressed through commercial roles, was named vice president, architectural coatings in 2019 and led the region’s commercial organisation from 2024.
Appointment
PPG has appointed John Smith as vice president, architectural coatings, EMEA, effective July 1, 2026. He will report to Henrik Bergström, senior vice president, global architectural coatings.
John Smith background
Smith brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience. Most recently he served as executive vice president and general manager at Signify, where he led the global connected lighting business and held responsibility for strategy, innovation, marketing, sales and operations. He previously held senior leadership roles at Philips across consumer health, grooming and home care categories.
Steve Pocock retirement
Steve Pocock will retire effective June 30, 2026. Pocock joined Sigma Kalon in early 2000, moved through a series of commercial roles, was appointed general manager, architectural coatings, UK and Ireland in 2010, later led architectural coatings for EMEA north and China, and was named vice president, architectural coatings in 2019 before leading the region’s architectural coatings commercial organisation from 2024.
Leadership remarks
Henrik Bergström said Smith’s commercial expertise, global mindset and team-development focus position him to lead the EMEA architectural coatings business. Bergström also praised Pocock’s energy, determination and record of delivering growth and mentoring colleagues.
Source: PPG
