BASF names Markus Kamieth as new CEO

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF SE has named Dr Markus Kamieth to take over as the CEO and chairman of its executive board, effective at the end of the group's annual shareholders’ meeting scheduled for 25 April.

Kamieth, who has been a BASF executive director since 2017, succeeds Dr Martin Brudermueller, who has led the group since 2018 and is moving to Mercedes-Benz as ‘non-executive’ chairman.

Brudermueller, said BASF chairman Dr Kurt Bock, steered the German chemicals group through “exceptionally challenging times with strong leadership” and led drive towards “climate neutrality”.

In Kamieth, continued the chairman, BASF has a “highly competent and experienced successor”, who has achieved “excellent results” during his tenures in Germany, the US and Asia.

“He combines strategic vision with strengths in operational implementation and will provide new impulses to the businesses and teams at BASF,” Bock added.

Meanwhile, chief technology officer Melanie Maas-Brunner will not renew her current contract beyond 31 Jan, BASF announced 20 Dec.

Dr Katja Scharpwinkel, currently president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, will succeed Maas-Brunner, as of 1 Feb.

Furthermore, Anup Kothari, currently president of the nutrition & health division, has been appointed to the board of executive directors effective 1 March.

Kothari began his career at BASF in North America and has held various positions in the US, Germany and China in different divisions.

Scharpwinkel and Kothari bring “broad and relevant experience” to the board, said Bock.

“The new team is highly qualified and has all the prerequisites to successfully shape the future development of BASF,” he concluded.