Merck Names New CEO and Chair to Helm Company
The drug maker named Belén Garijo to replace Stefan Oschmann as CEO and chair of its executive board in May 2021.
September 29, 2020
Pharmaceutical firm Merck KGaA announced Monday that Belén Garijo will become the chair of its executive board and the company’s chief executive officer on May 1 as the current occupant of the posts, Stefan Oschmann, prepares to step down in April.
Garijo currently serves as vice chair of the executive board and deputy CEO of Merck KGaA and CEO of Healthcare. Oschmann has been CEO and chair over the last five years and held a position on its executive board for a decade.
“The company’s extremely strong portfolio, its excellent company valuation and its bright future prospects are closely connected with Stefan Oschmann,” Johannes Baillou, chairman of the board of partners of E. Merck KG, said in a statement. “He has especially driven the company’s turn to digital innovations and business models forward.”
In her new role, Garijo will be responsible for communications; corporate affairs; environment; health, safety, security, and quality; human resources; internal auditing; legal and compliance; and strategy and transformation.
“With Belén Garijo, an internationally very experienced and highly recognized manager will take over the Chair of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. She knows our company extremely well and has done excellent work in transforming our Healthcare business sector,” Baillou said. “Belén Garijo and Stefan Oschmann have been collaborating closely and trustfully for many years. This will ensure a seamless transition and continuity in corporate management.”
Merck also announced several other executive appointments on Monday. Peter Guenter will join the firm’s executive board on January 1. Matthias Heinzel will become a member of the executive board on April 1 with responsibility for the Life Sciences business sector.
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