The chief executive officer (CEO) transition plan for Archroma, a global leader in sustainable speciality chemicals and solutions for the textile, packaging and paper, paints and coatings sectors, was unveiled. Since April 30, 2023, Heike van de Kerkhof, CEO of Archroma since January 2020, will retire to pursue other professional options.
A seasoned business expert, Mark Garrett, will take on interim CEO duties. The board of directors of Archroma has hired a top executive search company to assess internal and external candidates as part of a thorough search process to install a permanent CEO.
“I would want to thank Heike for her leadership and unwavering commitment to Archroma on behalf of the board of directors. Heike became the company’s CEO in January 2020, and since then, she has significantly improved the organization’s sustainability, innovation, and customer-focused business model. She also completed the transformational acquisition of Huntsman’s Textile Effects business, dramatically improving Archroma’s capacity to serve its clients and markets. We want to express our gratitude to Heike for all she has done during this significant era of growth and our best wishes for her future aspirations. Archroma’s board of directors chairman Miguel Kohlmann remarked.
“The board is still dedicated to fostering Archroma’s expansion and continuing to offer the systems, solutions, innovation, and technical support that our clients have grown to rely on us for a while, enhancing employment possibilities for Archroma’s staff. We are excited that Mark Garrett, a seasoned executive with extensive industry expertise and a directly practical understanding of Archroma’s product range and end markets, will join the company as temporary CEO. Mark has held top executive leadership positions, including chairman and CEO, with organizations including OMV/Borealis, Marquard & Bahls, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, and DuPont. He is a seasoned executive and the ideal candidate to act as the temporary CEO of Archroma.
According to Kohlmann, the board is committed to maintaining continuity at this time of change and has high regard for Archroma’s leadership team.
“It has been a joy and an honour to lead Archroma. The company has achieved great strides over the last three years, organically and through purchasing the Huntsman Textile Effects business. I’m pleased about this. Thank the Archroma leadership team and staff for their dedication to the company, our clients, brands, and business partners worldwide.
I look forward to seeing Archroma reach its full development potential as I move in my career, Kerkhof added.
“I’m thrilled to join Archroma and take the helm of the business now. I have long admired Archroma’s emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and client solutions throughout my professional life. To successfully execute our development potential and complete the smooth integration of the Huntsman Textile Effects business, I look forward to working with the excellent leadership team and staff, said Garrett.
