Hans Van Bylen has been appointed CEO of German consumer chemicals producer Henkel, with effect from May 1. The 54-year-old Belgian national, who joined Henkel in 1984, will succeed Kasper Rorsted, who has been named to head German sporting goods manufacturer Adidas. He will be the second non-German CEO at Düsseldorf-based Henkel. Rorsted is a native of Denmark.

On the Henkel managing board since 2005, Van Bylen has had responsibility for the Beauty Care business as executive vice president. In taking up his new position, the new CEO will lead development of the new strategy to be announced at the end of this year.

Rorsted joined Henkel as a member of the managing board in 2005 and had served as CEO since 2008. The 53-year-old asked to be released from his contract early to take up the Adidas position on May 1.