Chemicals and Life Sciences Tracker
People Moves

Nufarm Appoints Brendan Ryan CFO

Nufarm Limited has appointed Brendan Ryan as CFO after Paul Townsend has made the decision to step down from his role as CFO. Brendan comes to Nufarm with over two decades of senior leadership experience at Fonterra Cooperative Group, as divisional CFO. He has also held roles at Bonlac Foods, Pfizer, and BDO.

Siegfried Appoints Stefan Randl as Chief Scientific Officer

Siegfried has appointed Stefan Randl as Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Committee member, effective 1 January 2025. Randl, who succeeds Jürgen Roos, brings 16 years of leadership experience at Evonik, where he held roles across Germany, the US, and Asia, including Vice President of Innovation Management Health Care.

Celanese Appoints Scott Richardson as CEO

Scott Richardson has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, succeeding Lori Ryerkerk, effective 1 January 2025. Richardson, with over two decades at Celanese, has served as Chief Operating Officer and previously led the Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain businesses.

Euroapi Appoints Emmanuel Blin as Independent Chair of the Board of Directors

Emmanuel Blin has been appointed as Independent Chair of Euroapi’s Board of Directors, succeeding Viviane Monges. Blin, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and former Bristol Myers Squibb Chief Strategy Officer, brings extensive experience to strengthen Euroapi’s industry leadership.

Euroapi Appoints David Seignolle as CEO

David Seignolle has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Euroapi, succeeding Elizabeth Bastoni as interim leader. Seignolle, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer, joined Euroapi from TEVA Pharmaceuticals, where he held senior roles such as the Vice President of global supply chain API and biologics in Italy and Mexico.

Intrepid Potash Appoints Kevin Crutchfield as CEO

Intrepid Potash has appointed Kevin Crutchfield as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director. Crutchfield, a seasoned mining industry leader, brings decades of expertise in global operations and strategic growth, with prior roles as CEO of Compass Minerals, Alpha Natural Resources, and Contura Energy, where he spearheaded several acquisitions.

Dow Appointment of Karen Carter as COO 

Dow has appointed Karen Carter, previously President of its packaging and specialty plastics business, as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Carter, who brings over 30 years of leadership experience at Dow, will oversee the company's operating segments and lead initiatives to enhance customer engagement, innovation, and operational efficiency.

National Resilience Appoints William Marth as CEO 

National Resilience (Resilience), a biomanufacturing company focused on expanding access to advanced medicines, has announced the appointment of William S. Marth, RPh., MBA, as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. With extensive experience, Marth previously served as President and COO, where he led the company’s development, manufacturing, and commercial operations.

LyondellBasell Appoints Agustin Izquierdo as CFO

LyondellBasell has announced that Agustin Izquierdo will succeed Michael McMurray as chief financial officer, effective 1 March 2025, following McMurray's retirement. Izquierdo, currently serving as senior vice president, brings extensive leadership experience from roles at BASF and Morgan Stanley, positioning him to lead the company's financial strategy.

Metrion Biosciences Appoints Lee Patterson as CEO

Metrion Biosciences has appointed Lee Patterson as chief executive officer, effective 2 December 2024, succeeding Andrew Southan. Formerly CEO of Charnwood Discovery, Patterson brings extensive experience in preclinical CRO growth and global market leadership. He will lead Metrion's ambitious growth strategy, focusing on enhancing specialist services and expanding into key global markets.

Brenntag CEO Christian Kohlpaintner to Step Down

Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO of Brenntag SE since 2020, has announced his decision to not extend his contract, which ends on 31 December 2025. The supervisory board will now begin an orderly succession process, ensuring continuity as Kohlpaintner continues to lead during Brenntag's transformative growth and operational improvement initiatives.

Air Products Announces Board Director Nominee Bhavesh Patel

Air Products has announced the nomination of Bhavesh Patel, former CEO of W.R. Grace and LyondellBasell and former President of Standard Industries, to its board of directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting. With 35 years of experience in global chemicals, materials, and management roles, Patel is expected to bring valuable expertise in overseeing complex transformations and growth initiatives.

Air Products Nominates Alfred Stern for Election as Board of Director

Air Products plans to nominate Alfred Stern, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of OMV Group, to its board at the 2025 Annual Meeting. Currently serving as Supervisory Board Chairman of OMV Petrom and formerly CEO of Borealis, Stern brings 29 years of experience in global energy and chemicals, with a strong track record in leading large-scale international projects that align with Air Products’ focus on energy transition and sustainability.

Quaker Houghton Appoints Joseph Berquist as CEO and President

Quaker Houghton has appointed Joseph Berquist as CEO and President, succeeding Andy Tometich. Berquist brings extensive leadership experience, having previously served as Executive Vice President, where he co-led the integration of the 2019 Quaker Houghton merger, nearly doubling the company’s size and delivering over $80 million in synergies.

Innovaderm Research Appoints Ina Zschocke as EVP, European Operations and Strategy

Innovaderm, a clinical research organisation specialising in dermatology and rheumatology, has appointed Ina Zschocke as Executive Vice President for European Operations and Strategy. With over 20 years of clinical research expertise, Zschocke will oversee European operations, drive growth, and enhance operational efficiency while expanding Innovaderm’s rheumatology capabilities. 

Weekly Highlights
18th November 2024

Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, has been re-elected as President of Cefic

Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, has been re-elected as President of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) for a two-year term. Kadri’s leadership continues to drive sustainable and competitive initiatives for the European chemical industry, with a focus on fostering collaboration between industry leaders and policymakers.

Nicky Huang Appointed Managing Director of IMCD China and IMCD Sanrise

IMCD has appointed Nicky Huang as Managing Director for IMCD China and IMCD Sanrise. With over 16 years of experience in senior management, including her role as Regional Sales Manager at A. Schulman, Huang will oversee the integration and development of IMCD’s businesses in China, building on the transformation she led at IMCD China since 2023.

Longeveron Appoints Devin Blass as CTO and SVP of CMC

Longeveron, a clinical-stage regenerative medicine biotechnology company, has appointed Devin Blass as Chief Technology Officer and SVP of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls, effective December 2024. Blass brings over 15 years of experience in advanced therapy development and manufacturing, previously holding leadership roles at Talaris Therapeutics and New York Blood Centre’s CDMO division.

Altimmune Appoints Greg Weaver as CFO

Altimmune, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has appointed Greg Weaver as Chief Financial Officer. With over 25 years of experience in finance, including roles at Cognito Therapeutics and atai Life Sciences, Weaver’s expertise in capital market transactions and strategic finance is expected to support Altimmune’s growth and lead programme advancements.

Arvinder Singh Sahney Appointed Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation

Arvinder Singh Sahney has been appointed chairman of Indian Oil Corporation, bringing nearly three decades of experience in the energy sector. His leadership in projects such as the Paradip Refinery and the upcoming mega petrochemical complex at Paradip is expected to strengthen IndianOil’s position in the petrochemical industry and support its sustainable energy goals.

Harbour BioMed Appoints Raymond Zheng as Chief Business Officer

Harbour BioMed has appointed Raymond Zheng as Chief Business Officer, where he will lead global business development and alliance management. Zheng, formerly the founder and CSO of Urica Therapeutics, brings a track record of advancing clinical assets, transformative partnerships, and leadership roles at Fortress Biotech and Agenus to Harbour BioMed's innovative antibody therapeutics pipeline.