Kai Beckmann Appointed as Successor to Merck KGaA CEO Belén Garijo, Effective May 2026

Merck KGaA has appointed Kai Beckmann, current CEO of its Electronics business, as the future Chair of the Executive Board and CEO, effective May 1, 2026135.

Belén Garijo, the incumbent CEO and Chair of the Executive Board, will remain in her role until the end of April 2026 to ensure a seamless transition135.

Kai Beckmann will immediately assume the position of Deputy CEO and continue leading the Electronics business sector until a new sector CEO is named135.

Belén Garijo’s tenure at Merck KGaA lasted 15 years, including six years as CEO of Healthcare and since 2021 as CEO of the whole company, during which she guided the company through the Covid-19 pandemic and executed strategic portfolio realignments such as the acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics and divestiture of Surface Solutions15.

Garijo transformed Merck’s Healthcare division, notably expanding its China presence and commercializing the multiple sclerosis drug Mavenclad worldwide15.

Following her time at Merck, Belén Garijo intends to remain active within the healthcare industry with a focus on patient needs15.

Sources:

1. https://chemanager-online.com/en/news/merck-beckmann-to-succeed-garijo-as-ceo

3. https://www.thepharmaletter.com/pharmaceutical/merck-kgaa-ceo-succession-plan

5. https://www.merckgroup.com/en/news/garijo-beckmann-25-09-25.html