Carsten Knobel to become CEO of Henkel

Carsten Knobel to become Henkel CEO

Henkel has announced that current CEO Hans Van Bylen will step down from the position for personal reasons. Bylen had held important positions within the company for approximately 35 years. Bylen served on the Board of Management for around 15 years and held the CEO position for the past 4 years. Carsten Knobel will assume the CEO role from Hans Van Bylen, effective 1 January 2020. Carsten Knobel has been with Henkel since 1995. A member of the Board of Management since 2012, Knobel also leads the Finance, Procurement and Integrated Business Solutions divisions. The successor to Knobel's CFO position will be announced at a later date. In a statement, Hans Van Bylen said: "After approximately 35 years with Henkel, with my contract coming to an end next year, I have decided that it is time for a change at the top of the company. For personal reasons, I have also decided to step down from my position as Chairman of the Board of Management. I would like to thank all employees and all my colleagues on the Board of Management for the commitment and dedication they have shown over the years, as well as all members of our audit committees for their support and advice." Bylen concluded his remarks: "At the same time, I am pleased that our Board of Management has selected Carsten Knobel from within our ranks to continue as CEO after me. I am confident that under his leadership Henkel will continue to advance successfully." Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chair of the Shareholders' Committee and Supervisory Board, thanked Hans Van Bylen on behalf of the committees and the Henkel family for his services to the company and said: "Hans Van Bylen has made a significant contribution to the successful development of our company over the years and has actively developed numerous senior leaders."

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah continued: "Under Hans Van Bylen's leadership, all of our business units have been strengthened through acquisitions and partnerships. The acquisition of Sun Products significantly enhanced the position of our Laundry and Home Care business unit in our largest market worldwide, the United States.

Acquisitions have also taken place in our Adhesive Technologies and Beauty Care business units. Hans Van Bylen has placed particular emphasis on the company's digitalization across all areas and has pursued this objective with great determination. We express our sincere gratitude for the important strategic direction he has set for the company during his tenure as CEO and for his 35 years of continued commitment to Henkel." Hans Van Bylen (58) began his professional career at Henkel in 1984. A member of Henkel's Board of Management since 2005, Van Bylen initially took responsibility for the Beauty Care business unit before assuming the position of Chairman of the Board of Management at the beginning of 2016. Since 2018, Hans Van Bylen has also served as President of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) and Vice President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). He also serves as a member of the Board of Management of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF).     Commenting on the matter, Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah said: "We have appointed an outstanding individual from within the company, Carsten Knobel, to assume this role. In addition to his deep knowledge of Henkel, he brings years of international management and leadership experience. Furthermore, beyond the respect he enjoys among his colleagues on the Board of Management and our employees, he has a strong standing in the capital markets. As a Board of Management, we are confident that he will continue to advance the development of our company with strength. On behalf of all Henkel committees and employees, I wish him every success for the future."

Born in Marburg in 1969, Carsten Knobel studied business administration and technical chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin. Knobel began his career at Henkel in 1995 as assistant to the Board of Management member responsible for research and development.

Subsequently, he held various positions of increasing responsibility within the Beauty Care business unit in controlling, mergers & acquisitions and operational business areas. Following management positions in Corporate Strategy and Controlling at the Beauty Care business unit and a role as Financial Director, he was appointed CFO in 2012. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Lufthansa and Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board of Fortuna Düsseldorf, a football club competing in Germany's top division (Bundesliga). Carsten Knobel is married and has two children. Commenting on his appointment, Carsten Knobel said: "I am grateful for the confidence expressed by this appointment. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board of Management and our global team to shape the future of Henkel. With our excellent employees, leading brands and technologies and exciting innovations, we have the opportunity to achieve sustainable profitable growth at a higher level in dynamic market conditions."