Ecolab Restructures COO Role, Names Two Co-COOs
Ecolab Inc. is reshaping its senior leadership by splitting the chief operating officer role into two positions.
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Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Ecolab Inc. is reshaping its senior leadership by splitting the chief operating officer role into two positions. Effective April 1, 2026, Chairman and CEO Christophe Beck also becomes President, while Darrell R. Brown is appointed Co-COO, Global Markets, and Gregory B. Cook becomes Co-COO, Global Businesses.
Brown will relocate to Sydney and receive an annualized base salary of AU$1,300,000 (about $876,200), a target cash incentive equal to 105% of salary, and a $2,500,000 long-term incentive opportunity. Cook’s new role includes a $750,000 base salary, a 105% target incentive, and $2,200,000 in long-term incentives.
8-K Event Classification
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Common Stock, $1.00 par value | ECL | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On February 20, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ecolab Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Christophe Beck to the position of President, Darrell R. Brown to the position of Co-Chief Operating Officer – Global Markets, and Gregory B. Cook to the position of Co-Chief Operating Officer – Global Businesses, each effective April 1, 2026.
Mr. Beck, age 58, currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, positions he has held since 2022 and 2021, respectively, and will continue to serve in these positions in addition to his new role. Over the past five years, Mr. Beck has served in senior executive leadership roles at the Company, including as Chief Executive Officer and President and, previously, as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Brown, age 62, currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, positions he has held since 2022. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and President – Global Industrial from 2019 to 2022 and as Executive Vice President and President of Ecolab’s Energy Services Division from 2018 to 2019. During his 24-year tenure at Ecolab, Mr. Brown has held several leadership positions within the Company.
Mr. Cook, age 57, has served as Executive Vice President and President – Institutional Group since 2023. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager – Global Institutional from 2021 to 2023 and as Senior Vice President and General Manager – Global Pest from 2020 to 2021. During his 28-year tenure at Ecolab, Mr. Cook has held key finance, sales and general management roles across Food & Beverage, Textile Care and Institutional.
Following the assumption of his new position, Mr. Brown will relocate from Naperville, Illinois, United States to Sydney, Australia, and will receive relocation benefits in accordance with an International Relocation Letter Agreement. Upon the completion of his relocation, Mr. Brown will receive an annualized base salary of AU$1,300,000 (equivalent to $876,200 based on the exchange rate of AU$1 to $0.674) and will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award with a target award opportunity of 105% of his base salary. He will also be eligible to receive an annual long-term incentive award valued at $2,500,000 when the Company next grants such awards.
Upon assuming his new position, Mr. Cook will receive an annualized base salary of $750,000 and will be eligible to receive an annual cash incentive award with a target award opportunity of 105% of his base salary. He will also be eligible to receive an annual long-term incentive award valued at $2,200,000 when the Company next grants such awards.
There are no transactions between each of Mr. Beck, Mr. Brown and Mr. Cook (and their respective immediate family) and the Company that require disclosure in accordance with Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
On February 25, 2026, the Company issued a News Release announcing the appointments of Mr. Brown and Mr. Cook described in Item 5.02 above, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit (99.1).
The information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) | Exhibits. | |||||
Exhibit No. | Description | |||||
(99.1) | Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 25, 2026. | |||||
(104) | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document). | |||||
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ECOLAB INC. | ||
Date: February 25, 2026 | By: | /s/ Youhao Dong |
Youhao Dong | ||
Assistant Secretary | ||
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Exhibit 99.1
News Release
Ecolab Inc.
1 Ecolab Place
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
www.ecolab.com
ECOLAB APPOINTS DARRELL BROWN AS CO-COO, GLOBAL MARKETS AND GREG COOK AS CO-COO, GLOBAL BUSINESSES
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Feb. 25, 2026 – Ecolab Inc. has announced that to support its next phase of growth, it is dividing the chief operating officer role into two complementary positions to build high-performing global businesses while strengthening the foundations for growth in all our markets around the world. As part of these changes, Darrell R. Brown has been appointed Co-COO, Global Markets, and Greg B. Cook has been appointed Co-COO, Global Businesses, effective April 1.
“We ended 2025 with strong momentum, and with that we are increasing our focus and leadership intensity to continue driving strong performance,” said Christophe Beck, Ecolab chairman and chief executive officer. “Darrell has been an exceptional partner and leader over many years. He brings deep company knowledge, a commitment to talent and a winning track record of performance across our global markets. As he returns home to Australia to be closer to family after nearly 15 years abroad, I’m pleased he will continue to serve in this new capacity and contribute to Ecolab’s ongoing success.”
Brown, 62, has served as president and chief operating officer since 2022. Previously, he was executive vice president and president of the Global Industrial Group and earlier led Ecolab’s Energy Services Division. Darrell joined Ecolab in 2002 and has held several international leadership roles.
Cook, 57, joined Ecolab in 1997 and most recently served as executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Institutional Group. Previously, he was executive vice president and general manager of Global Institutional and has held key international and enterprise leadership roles, including president of the Latin America Region and senior vice president and general manager of Global Pest Elimination.
“Greg has been a trusted partner and proven enterprise leader with a deep understanding of our businesses and customers,” Beck said. “His collaborative leadership style and disciplined execution will provide strong continuity and focus as he leads our Global Businesses. Together, Greg and Darrell will partner to unlock Ecolab’s significant growth opportunities by driving exceptional value for customers around the world.”
About Ecolab
A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. For more than a century, Ecolab has advanced innovation by integrating science-based solutions, data-driven insights, AI technology and world-class service. This unique combination enables Ecolab to partner with customers to define what best-in-class looks like and scale it across their operations, helping them achieve peak performance. Today, Ecolab has $16 billion in annual sales, 48,000 associates and customers in more than 170 countries and 40 industries. The company helps protect one-third of the world’s food production and a quarter of the power generated while delivering innovative solutions across food, healthcare, data centers, microelectronics, life sciences and hospitality. Ecolab’s comprehensive approach protects what’s vital, aiming by 2030 to help protect 2 billion people from infections and enough drinking water for 1 billion people while enhancing business performance.
www.ecolab.com
Follow us on LinkedIn @Ecolab, Instagram @Ecolab_Inc and Facebook @Ecolab.
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Investor Contact:
Andrew Hedberg
651-250-2185
Media Contact:
Torry Whitney
651-250-4724
MediaRelations@Ecolab.com
(ECL-C)