Jean-Charles Wirth (51), who currently heads Science & Lab Solutions within Merck's Life Science business sector, will become CEO Life Science as of Jun. 1, 2025. He succeeds Matthias Heinzel (58), who has decided to not renew his contract with the company.

Danny Bar-Zohar (54), currently global head of Research & Development and chief medical officer of the Healthcare business sector, will take on the position of CEO Healthcare, as of Jun. 1, 2025. He succeeds Peter Guenter (62) who has decided to retire.

Jean-Charles Wirth and Danny Bar-Zohar will have a 90-day transition with their predecessors to ensure a seamless handover for Merck’s global businesses.

Khadija Ben Hammada (44), the company’s chief human resources officer, will join the executive board in the newly created role of chief people officer as of Mar. 1, 2025. She will also be responsible for corporate sustainability, quality & trade compliance, in-house consulting, as well as site management of the company headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.

Jean-Charles Wirth joined Merck in 2006. Prior to taking on his current role in 2022, he held several positions in the company, including head of Applied Solutions business unit, chief financial officer for Life Science, and head of controlling for the Performance Materials sector (now Electronics). Prior to Merck, Wirth held positions at Baxter, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Alcatel Lucent.

Bar-Zohar has served in his current role since 2022. He joined the company in 2020 and has worked previously at Novartis, Teva and venture capital firm Syncona.

Ben Hammada, born in France, joined Merck in 2010 and has served as chief human resources officer since 2023. Since joining the company, she has held global roles in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the United States. She also held the role of chief of staff to Belén Garijo, Merck’s CEO.