DSM and Firmenich announce leadership team for combined company

  • 13 June 2022
  • M&A

Dutch-Swiss health, nutrition and bioscience company Royal DSM and Swiss fragrance and taste business Firmenich today announced the future leadership team for DSM-Firmenich, following the announcement that the two companies intend to merge.

The existing executive management teams of both companies will remain unchanged until the completion of the merger, which is expected in the first half of next year.

Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze will be co-chief executives. Currently co-chief executives of DSM, they will continue to hold additional CFO (Matchett) and COO (de Vreeze) responsibilities respectively for the future combined company.

Emmanuel Butstraen will be chief integration officer, overseeing the merger and DSM-Firmenich’s R&D facilities will be led by Dr Sarah Reisinger.

DSM-Firmenich will have four businesses. Perfumery and beauty, incorporating Firmenich’s fragrance and ingredients divisions and DSM’s personal care and aroma business, will be led by Ilaria Resta, who is currently Firmenich’s president of perfumery.

Patrick Niels, DSM’s executive vice-president food and beverage, will lead the combined food and beverage/taste & beyond business.

DSM’s executive vice-president health, nutrition and care, Philip Eykerman, will continue to lead this business’s development of customised end-to-end solutions that support the health of people at every life stage.

Ivo Lansbergen, who was appointed DSM’s executive vice-president for animal health and nutrition in 2019, will continue to lead that business.

Mieke Van de Capelle, currently Firmenich’s chief human resources officer, will lead the HR function.

Jane Sinclair, presently Firmenich’s general counsel and head of legal and compliance, will complete the new executive committee.

Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze commented: “We are appreciative of the support from all the leaders on the current executive management teams of DSM and Firmenich as everyone is fully committed to the successful integration of these great companies. They have laid the foundations from which DSM-Firmenich will be able to make a major difference for our customers, and ultimately for people and the planet. This talented team draws on the incredible expertise of both organisations and our future executive committee will be an incredibly strong joint leadership team with proven track records of strategic execution and value creation for all stakeholders. By coming together, we will establish a company where anyone, anywhere, wishing to make a positive impact should aspire to work.”

Gilbert Ghostine, who is retiring as chief executive of Firmenich upon completion of the merger, added: “There is a tremendous amount of talent and skill in both organisations and this executive team is perfectly placed to bring together our two culturally aligned and iconic businesses. I am confident that through this team, DSM-Firmenich has the right balance of experience, capabilities and skills to provide compelling opportunities for our people. The leaders we are announcing today are all highly accomplished and will ensure we create a global leader capable of bringing breakthrough purpose-led innovation and technologies to our customers.”