dsm-firmenich taps Richard Ridinger for Board chair role
The appointment is subject to shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting on October 19, 2026.
SWITZERLAND – dsm-firmenich has announced a planned change at the top of its Board of Directors, with Thomas Leysen set to retire as Chair and the Board proposing independent director Richard Ridinger as his successor.
The leadership change comes as dsm-firmenich moves into a more stable operational phase following the completion of its merger and the establishment of its strategic direction.
Leysen indicated that with the company now “fully operating as one company,” portfolio adjustments nearing completion (including the expected closing of the Animal Nutrition & Health divestment later in 2026), a refreshed Executive Committee, and a margin-improvement program underway, it is an appropriate moment to hand over the chairmanship.
He will remain in post until shareholders elect his successor, after which he plans to focus on other corporate and non‑profit mandates.
Richard Ridinger, currently an independent director on the dsm-firmenich Board and a member of its Nomination and Governance Committee, is the Board’s unanimous choice to succeed Leysen.
The Board highlights Ridinger’s extensive executive and board experience across pharma, home and personal care, and nutrition and health, as well as his deep familiarity with dsm-firmenich, having served on the Firmenich board from 2016 to 2023 before the merger and joining the combined company’s board in 2023.
Ridinger’s most recent executive role was as Chief Executive Officer of Lonza (2012–2019), where he led its transformation into a leading global life sciences partner. Earlier, he held senior leadership positions at Cognis and Henkel across R&D, operations, business management, and executive leadership.
He currently chairs the Supervisory Board of Brenntag SE and the Board of Recipharm AG, and is a member of the Advisory Group of NOVO Holdings.
The Board frames the proposal as a continuity move designed to sustain execution of dsm-firmenich’s strategy and long‑term value creation, echoing messages delivered at the company’s recent Capital Markets Day.
In statements, Leysen praised Ridinger’s experience and said he is well equipped to take dsm-firmenich “to the next level,” while Ridinger said he is honored by the Board’s trust and looks forward to shaping the company’s next chapter together with the Board and Executive Committee.
The appointment is an ad hoc announcement under Article 53 of the Listing Rules and requires shareholder approval. Shareholders will be asked to elect Ridinger as Chair at an Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting scheduled for October 19, 2026.
Until that vote, Leysen will continue to serve as Director and Chair.
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