Ecolab Restructures Leadership to Accelerate Global Growth, Appoints Darrell R. Brown and Greg B. Cook as Co-Chief Operating Officers
Ecolab Inc, a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, has announced a significant evolution in its leadership structure aimed at driving the company’s next phase of growth. In a strategic move designed to strengthen operational focus and enhance the performance of its global businesses, Ecolab is dividing the Chief Operating Officer (COO) role into two complementary positions. These changes are intended to build high-performing global business units while simultaneously reinforcing the foundational capabilities required for sustainable growth across Ecolab’s expansive market footprint.
Effective April 1, 2026, Darrell R. Brown has been appointed Co-Chief Operating Officer, Global Markets, and Greg B. Cook has been appointed Co-Chief Operating Officer, Global Businesses. This dual COO structure reflects Ecolab’s commitment to enhancing leadership depth, optimizing operational efficiency, and positioning the company to capture new growth opportunities in its diverse global markets.
Christophe Beck, chairman and chief executive officer of Ecolab, emphasized the importance of this leadership evolution. “We ended 2025 with strong momentum, and with that, we are increasing our focus and leadership intensity to continue driving strong performance,” Beck stated. “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.”
Darrell R. Brown: Returning Home with Global Expertise
Darrell R. Brown, 62, brings extensive experience and a proven leadership record to his new role. Since 2022, Brown has served as president and chief operating officer of Ecolab, demonstrating consistent operational excellence and a deep understanding of the company’s global markets. Prior to that, he held the position of executive vice president and president of the Global Industrial Group and also led Ecolab’s Energy Services Division.
Brown joined Ecolab in 2002 and has since held multiple international leadership roles, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the company’s operations across various regions and sectors. His tenure has been marked by a focus on driving performance, fostering talent development, and implementing strategic initiatives that enhance business growth. His return to Australia signals not only a personal milestone but also a strategic advantage for Ecolab, ensuring strong leadership presence in key international markets while maintaining continuity of vision and execution.
Greg B. Cook: A Proven Leader with Global Insight
Greg B. Cook, 57, brings a complementary set of skills and experiences to the Co-COO structure. Cook joined Ecolab in 1997 and has held numerous executive leadership positions, including his most recent role as executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Institutional Group. Over the years, Cook has demonstrated a deep understanding of Ecolab’s global business operations, customers, and strategic priorities.
His prior experience includes serving as executive vice president and general manager of Global Institutional, president of the Latin America Region, and senior vice president and general manager of Global Pest Elimination. This breadth of leadership experience equips Cook with the insights and operational expertise required to manage complex, multi-regional business units while ensuring strategic alignment with Ecolab’s enterprise-wide objectives.
Beck highlighted Cook’s capabilities, noting, “Greg has been a trusted partner and proven enterprise leader with a deep understanding of our businesses and customers. 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.”
A Strategic Move to Enhance Operational Performance
The decision to split the COO role into two positions reflects Ecolab’s forward-looking approach to corporate governance and operational excellence. By creating the roles of Co-COO for Global Markets and Co-COO for Global Businesses, the company aims to achieve several strategic objectives:
- Enhanced Focus on High-Performing Global Units: Each Co-COO will be responsible for a distinct yet complementary segment of Ecolab’s operations. This division allows for more targeted management, deeper market insights, and quicker decision-making, ultimately driving stronger operational performance.
- Strengthening the Foundations for Sustainable Growth: By having dedicated leadership for both market development and business operations, Ecolab can invest in the capabilities and processes that underpin long-term growth, including talent development, innovation pipelines, and customer engagement strategies.
- Seamless Global Coordination: With one Co-COO focused on global markets and another on global businesses, Ecolab ensures that strategic initiatives are harmonized across regions, sectors, and product lines. This approach supports a unified enterprise strategy while allowing flexibility to adapt to local market conditions.
- Maximizing Value for Customers: Ecolab’s leadership restructure underscores its commitment to customer-centric growth. By enhancing operational effectiveness and strengthening global business oversight, the company positions itself to deliver even greater value to customers through innovative solutions, service excellence, and localized support.
Ecolab: A Century of Innovation and Leadership
Founded more than 100 years ago, Ecolab has built a reputation as a trusted partner for millions of customers worldwide. The company specializes in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions that protect both people and vital resources. Its comprehensive approach combines science-based solutions, data-driven insights, and AI technology with world-class service, enabling customers to achieve best-in-class performance across operations.
Ecolab’s global reach is expansive. The company serves customers in more than 170 countries and across 40 industries, with a workforce of approximately 48,000 associates. In 2025, Ecolab reported annual sales of $16 billion, reflecting its significant impact on industries ranging from food production and healthcare to data centers, microelectronics, life sciences, and hospitality. Notably, Ecolab contributes to protecting one-third of the world’s food production and a quarter of the global power generation while delivering innovative solutions that support sustainable operations.
The company has also set ambitious 2030 goals, aiming to help protect 2 billion people from infections and provide sufficient drinking water for 1 billion people, all while enhancing business performance for its customers. This combination of sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence positions Ecolab as a global leader capable of navigating complex challenges while driving growth and delivering value to stakeholders.
Leadership Aligned with Growth and Innovation
The appointments of Brown and Cook as Co-COOs reinforce Ecolab’s commitment to leadership development and succession planning. Both leaders bring decades of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a track record of operational success. By leveraging their complementary skills, Ecolab aims to drive transformative growth initiatives while maintaining a strong foundation for ongoing success.
The dual COO model also reflects a broader trend in global corporations toward specialized operational leadership. By distributing responsibilities across multiple executives with distinct focus areas, companies can enhance accountability, reduce decision-making bottlenecks, and foster a culture of collaboration. For Ecolab, this approach is particularly relevant given its global scale, diverse product portfolio, and complex market dynamics.
