The Board of Partners of E Merck KG appointed Kai Beckmann as future Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. He will take over this position on 1 May, 2026, from Belén Garijo, who will continue to lead the company until the end of her tenure, ensuring a seamless transition. Beckmann will become Deputy CEO effective immediately and continue in his role as CEO of Electronics until a successor is announced.

Garijo will leave Merck after 15 years in the company of which she led six years as CEO of Healthcare, and, since 2021, as Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. Key milestones of her tenure included steering the company through the Covid-19 pandemic and increasing geopolitical volatility, driving sustainable growth–organically and through a string-of-pearls of targeted portfolio moves including SpringWorks and the divestiture of Surface Solutions, and building a skill-powered, high-performing organisation.

In her previous role, as CEO of the Healthcare business sector, she drove unprecedented business transformation, particularly in China, where she built a significant presence for the Healthcare business sector of Merck. Additionally, she also led the global resubmission and commercialisation of the multiple sclerosis drug Mavenclad and executed three divestitures that streamlined the healthcare portfolio and positioned the business for sustainable growth. Following the end of her tenure, Garijo will remain actively involved in the healthcare ecosystem to continue serving the needs of patients.

Johannes Baillou, Chairman—Executive Board, E Merck KG, said, “I would like to thank Belén Garijo for expertly steering Merck safely through tumultuous years of transformative change and returning the company to profitable growth. She has shaped the company’s evolution into a globally leading science and technology company while nurturing a high-impact culture and making our teams future-ready. Under her exceptional leadership, Merck strengthened its position across life science, healthcare and electronics, driving innovation and delivering impact on millions of patients and customers worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to our values and vision and a proven ability to navigate challenges with resilience, she has laid a robust foundation for Merck’s continued success.”

Beckmann has served as a Member of the Executive Board of Merck since 2011 and assumed responsibility for the Performance Materials business sector in 2017. Under his leadership, the sector underwent a comprehensive transformation to become a pureplay electronics business. Today, the business sector serves as a key ecosystem player enabling the global semiconductor industry.

Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Administration Officer on the Executive Board; his responsibilities encompassed a broad portfolio of functions including, among others, HR, IT and Merck’s headquarters and largest site in Darmstadt. Since joining Merck in 1989, he has held global roles of increasing responsibility, such as Managing Director of Merck in Singapore and Malaysia as well as Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Baillou also said, “In Kai Beckmann, we have the perfect home-grown leader, taking over the Chair of the Executive Board of Merck with extensive understanding of our global businesses as well as patient and customer needs. Beckmann’s proven transformational expertise will be fundamental to deliver the next chapter of our company’s growth. And, his passion and vision for technology will drive much-needed impact for patients, customers and society. The long-standing collaboration and trust between Belén Garijo and Kai Beckmann will ensure a seamless transition period and continuity in our corporate management.”

Beyond Merck, Beckmann is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bundesdruckerei Gruppe and serves as Vice President (VP) of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations. From 2017 to 2024, he led the German Federation of Chemical Employers' Associations (BAVC).