Humanscale Appoints Senior Leaders Across DACH, China, Japan

Humanscale has appointed four senior executives to lead regional and global accounts across key international markets. The new leadership appointments for DACH, Greater China, Japan and Global Accounts signal a strategic push to strengthen the brand's global footprint in ergonomic workplace solutions.

Katrin Lauer joined as Sales Director for the DACH region in September. Ambroise d’Hauteville is the new Regional Director for Greater China. Hajime Hikino takes the role of Sales Director for Japan. Giles Poppleton assumes the newly created position of Managing Director, Global Accounts, APAC, and will be based in Singapore. They all report to Nikos Liapis, President of International Sales at Humanscale.

Regional expertise and background

Each appointee brings deep regional and sector-specific experience relevant to their new roles.

Katrin Lauer's background is in the international design and furniture sector. She has held senior roles with brands including HAY and Vitra.

Ambroise d’Hauteville brings 24 years of experience from his time with Steelcase. His career has spanned Africa, Europe and Asia, with almost two decades spent living and working in China and other Asian markets.

Hajime Hikino offers more than 25 years of experience in the Japanese workplace and design sector. He previously worked for 25 years with Workplace Solutions Inc. in a sales management position before joining Italian lighting brand Flos as Retail Area Manager for Japan.

Giles Poppleton has experience in leadership, commercial real estate, business consulting, and change management. His career includes work with multinational organisations such as Credit Suisse.

Strategic intent behind the appointments

The hires reflect a deliberate investment in strengthening Humanscale’s international sales and market presence. Humanscale is a designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic workplace solutions. The company is focusing on expanding its reach in major furniture markets through seasoned local leadership.

Comment from leadership

Nikos Liapis framed the appointments as a significant commitment to global growth. He stated the moves were a clear investment in the company's international business.

"These appointments represent an important investment in our international business," said Nikos Liapis.

These appointments position Humanscale to deepen its market penetration in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and global accounts under Nikos Liapis’s international sales leadership.