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Belén Garijo's term of office ends as planned – the shareholders' council ensures a seamless transition
DARMSTADT – The Darmstadt-based science and technology company Merck will have a new leader on May 1, 2026: Kai Beckmann will take over as Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO. He succeeds Belén Garijo , whose term of office is scheduled to end at the end of April 2026.
Change in leadership
The shareholders' council of E. Merck KG has officially appointed Beckmann as successor. He will serve as deputy CEO with immediate effect and will retain his position as head of the Electronics business sector until further notice.
Belén Garijo had been Chair of the Executive Board since 2021 and had worked for Merck for a total of 15 years. During this time, she led the company through the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical crises, and a period of strategic transformation. Under her leadership, Merck focused on sustainable growth, strengthened its Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics businesses, and established a new performance culture.
Continuity through internal succession
“Belén Garijo successfully led Merck through turbulent years and put the company on a profitable growth path,” explained Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG. “With Kai Beckmann, an experienced leader from within the company is taking over, who will continue to develop Merck in a targeted manner.”
Kai Beckmann has been with Merck since 1989, a member of the Executive Board since 2011, and has led, among other things, the Performance Materials and Electronics divisions. Previously, he was Chief Administration Officer, responsible for HR, IT, and the headquarters in Darmstadt. He gained international experience as Managing Director in Singapore and Malaysia. In addition to his work at Merck, he is also Vice President of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA).
Looking ahead
With Beckmann's appointment, Merck is relying on continuity and expertise from within its own ranks. The upcoming leadership change is intended to ensure a smooth transition into a new growth phase.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/merck)
