THE WHAT? DSM-Firmenich has announced that its existing co-CEO structure will be changed effective September 1, 2023 as the company completes its merger of equals. Dimitri de Vreeze will take on the role of sole CEO while Ralf Schmeitz has been named CFO.

THE DETAILS Geraldine Matchett has decided to leave the company to further her career elsewhere. “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to lead DSM with Dimitri and to help bring together two great companies,” she said. “The DSM and Firmenich merger is extremely exciting, bringing together very complementary cultures and capabilities. I look back with pride at all that has been achieved during my almost 10 years at DSM, and wish all my colleagues success for their journey ahead as DSM-Firmenich.”

THE WHY? Thomas Leysen, Chairman of DSM-Firmenich, explains, “Geraldine Matchett and Dimitri de Vreeze have together brought about an impressive and widely admired transformation of DSM during their tenure as Co-CEOs. Their highly complementary skillsets, experiences and personalities enabled them to rapidly build on the strong legacy they inherited. Together they forged a new destiny for DSM, which culminated in the ground-breaking and soon to be completed merger of DSM and Firmenich.

“With the merger now a reality, we have together determined that the dual leadership that has served DSM so well during a period of significant change, is no longer needed for DSM-Firmenich going forward. The Board has full confidence in Dimitri to continue building on their exceptional work and is pleased to welcome Ralf in the role of CFO.”