BASF Unveils New Leadership Team as Dr. Martin Brudermüller Steps Down

BASF Unveils New Leadership Team as Dr. Martin Brudermüller Steps Down

(IN BRIEF) BASF SE, a global chemicals and materials company, has unveiled a succession plan for its Board of Executive Directors. Dr. Markus Kamieth will become Chairman of the Board, succeeding Dr. Martin Brudermüller, effective April 25, 2024. Anup Kothari will join the Board on March 1, 2024, and Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel will join on February 1, 2024, taking over from Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner, who will not renew her contract. Michael Heinz’s contract as a Board member has been extended until 2026. These changes aim to ensure leadership continuity and expertise within the company as it continues its operations and strategic direction.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 20-Dec-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF SE (ETR: BAS), the world’s largest chemical producer, has unveiled significant leadership changes and a succession plan for its Board of Executive Directors, with a focus on fostering long-term success and continuity within the company.

Effective at the close of the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on April 25, 2024, Dr. Markus Kamieth (53) will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at BASF SE. This decision was reached during the meeting of the Supervisory Board held on December 20, 2023. Dr. Markus Kamieth has been an integral member of the Board of Executive Directors since 2017, and he will succeed Dr. Martin Brudermüller (62), who has held the position of Chairman since 2018 and has been a member of the Board of Executive Directors since 2006.

Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BASF SE, expressed his appreciation for Dr. Brudermüller’s exceptional leadership and strategic decisions that have contributed to the company’s long-term success, particularly its focus on achieving climate neutrality. “Martin Brudermüller has led BASF with courage and foresight since 2018. He has steered BASF through exceptionally challenging times with strong leadership and made important strategic decisions for the long-term success of the company. This includes in particular the focus on the transformation of BASF towards climate neutrality. The Supervisory Board thanks Martin Brudermüller for his outstanding achievements. With Markus Kamieth, we have a highly competent and experienced successor, who has achieved excellent results for BASF during his diverse professional positions in Germany, the United States and Asia. He combines strategic vision with operational implementation strength and will provide new impulses to the businesses and teams at BASF.”

The Supervisory Board has appointed Anup Kothari (55), the current President of the Nutrition & Health division, to join the Board of Executive Directors effective March 1, 2024. Anup Kothari brings a wealth of experience, having embarked on his career at BASF in North America and held various positions in the United States, Germany, and China across different divisions.

Additionally, the Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel (54) to the Board of Executive Directors and Industrial Relations Director, effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Scharpwinkel currently serves as the President of the Europe, Middle East, Africa region and has made significant contributions to the company since joining BASF in 2010 following the acquisition of Cognis.

Dr. Katja Scharpwinkel will succeed Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner (55), who has chosen not to renew her contract, which is set to expire on January 31, 2024. Dr. Bock expressed the Supervisory Board’s appreciation for Dr. Maas-Brunner’s contributions and wishes her well in her pursuit of new professional challenges. Bock: “The Supervisory Board regrets the wish of Melanie Maas-Brunner, which developed over a longer period of time, to pursue new professional challenges. We thank her sincerely for her achievements.”

The contract of Michael Heinz (59), a member of the Board of Executive Directors, has been extended by the Supervisory Board until the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in 2026. Michael Heinz has been a part of the Board of Executive Directors since 2011 and is responsible for the Agricultural Solutions, Nutrition & Health, and Care Chemicals divisions, as well as the North America and South America regions.

Dr. Kurt Bock stated, “The Supervisory Board congratulates Katja Scharpwinkel and Anup Kothari on their appointments. They bring broad and relevant experience to the Board. The new team is highly qualified and has all the prerequisites to successfully shape the future development of BASF. The Supervisory Board is looking forward to the future cooperation.”
Note for editorial offices:

The responsibilities of the members of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE can be found in a separate news release at News Releases (basf.com).

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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SOURCE: BASF SE