Merck: Beckmann to Succeed Garijo as CEO
Kai Beckmann to succeed Belén Garijo as new Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck in May 2026.
Belén Garijo will remain in office until the scheduled expiry of her term of office at the end of April 2026. This will ensure a seamless transition in the company's management. Kai Beckmann will become Deputy CEO of Merck with immediate effect and will remain CEO of the Electronics business sector until his successor is appointed.
After 15 years with the company, including six years as CEO of the Healthcare business sector and as Chairwoman of the Executive Board since 2021, Belén Garijo will leave Merck in 2026. During her tenure, she has successfully navigated the company through the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing geopolitical volatility. In doing so, she put Merck on a sustainable, organic growth path, complemented by strategic portfolio changes, such as the acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics and the divestment of Surface Solutions. At the same time, she anchored a new performance culture in the company. In her previous position as CEO of Healthcare, Garijo drove forward the transformation of the division, for example, by expanding its presence in China. Under her leadership, the multiple sclerosis drug Mavenclad was resubmitted for approval worldwide and successfully brought to market. Garijo optimized the Healthcare portfolio through three strategic divestments, thus laying the foundation for the division's sustainable growth. After her tenure at Merck, Belén Garijo will continue to contribute her professional expertise to the healthcare industry and dedicate herself to the needs of patients.
“I would like to thank Belén Garijo for expertly steering Merck safely through tumultuous years of transformative change and returning the company to profitable growth. She has shaped the company’s evolution into a globally leading science and technology company while nurturing a High Impact Culture and making our teams future-ready. Under her exceptional leadership, Merck strengthened its position across Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics, driving innovation and delivering impact on millions of patients and customers worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to our values and vision, and a proven ability to navigate challenges with resilience, she has laid a robust foundation for Merck’s continued success,” said Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG.
“In Kai Beckmann we have the perfect homegrown leader, taking over the Chair of the Executive Board of Merck with extensive understanding of our global businesses as well as patient and customer needs. Beckmann’s proven transformational expertise will be fundamental to deliver the next chapter of our company’s growth. And his passion and vision for technology will drive much-needed impact for patients, customers and society. The longstanding collaboration and trust between Belén Garijo and Kai Beckmann will ensure a seamless transition period and continuity in our corporate management,” added Baillou.
Kai Beckmann has served as a Member of the Executive Board of Merck since 2011 and assumed responsibility for the Performance Materials business sector in 2017. Under his leadership, the sector underwent a comprehensive transformation to become a pure-play Electronics business. Today, the business sector serves as a key ecosystem player, enabling the global semiconductor industry. Prior to his current role, Kai Beckmann served as Chief Administration Officer on the Executive Board; his responsibilities encompassed a broad portfolio of functions, including, among others, HR, IT, and Merck’s headquarters and largest site in Darmstadt. Since joining Merck in 1989, Kai Beckmann has held global roles of increasing responsibility, such as Managing Director of Merck in Singapore & Malaysia, as well as Chief Information Officer.
Beyond Merck, Kai Beckmann is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bundesdruckerei Gruppe and serves as Vice President of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA). From 2017 to 2024, he led the German Federation of Chemical Employers' Associations (BAVC).
