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Belén Garijo ends her term of office as planned – Shareholders’ Council ensures seamless transition
DARMSTADT – The Darmstadt-based science and technology group Merck will have a new leadership team effective May 1, 2026: Kai Beckmann will assume the chairmanship of the Executive Board and the role of CEO. He succeeds Belén Garijo , whose term of office is scheduled to end at the end of April 2026.
Change in top management
The Board of Partners of E. Merck KG has officially appointed Beckmann as his successor. Effective immediately, he will serve as Deputy CEO and retain his position as Head of the Electronics business sector until further notice.
Belén Garijo served as Chair of the Executive Board from 2021 and 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 the Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics business sectors, 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 our own ranks takes over, who will develop Merck in a targeted manner."
Kai Beckmann has been with Merck since 1989 and a member of the Executive Board since 2011. His roles have included heading the Performance Materials and Electronics divisions. Previously, he served as Chief Administration Officer with responsibility for HR, IT, and the headquarters in Darmstadt. He gained international experience as a 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).
Look ahead
With Beckmann's appointment, Merck is relying on continuity and expertise from within its own ranks. The upcoming leadership change is intended to facilitate a smooth transition into a new growth phase.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM/merck)
