Brenntag has appointed Christian Kohlpaintner as its next CEO and member of the management board with effect from Jan. 1, 2020, replacing Steven Holland who will retire.

Kohlpaintner joins from Clariant, where he has been a member of the executive committee since he started with the Swiss firm in 2009.

Stefan Zuschke, chairman of Brenntag’s supervisory board, says Kohlpaintner is an internationally experienced business leader with a proven track record. “It will be his mission to lead Brenntag to sustainable growth and expand the market leadership further. It will also be about breaking new ground while at the same time preserving the core of the successful business model,” Zuschke said.

A Ph.D. chemist, Kohlpaintner started his career at Hoechst, where he held various positions in Germany and the US, then moved to Celanese and Chemische Fabrik Budenheim.

Holland retires after 14 years with the leading chemical distribution group. He was previously managing director of the UK’s Albion Chemicals, which Brenntag bought in June 2006.

Zuschke said Holland’s vision and leadership have driven the company’s growth and success in a dynamic and challenging environment.