- Ardena announces the retirement of CEO Harry Christiaens and the appointment of Jeremie Trochu as the new CEO.
- Jeremie Trochu, a seasoned executive in the pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Operations (CDMO) industry, brings 20 years of experience in the biopharma sector.
Ardena announced a significant change in its leadership. Harry Christiaens, who has led the company as CEO for 20 years, is stepping down and will be succeeded by Jeremie Trochu. Christiaens will continue to serve on Ardena’s Board.
Trochu is a seasoned executive in the pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Operations (CDMO) industry. He brings with him an extensive knowledge of the life sciences and CDMO industry, and a proven track record of success in the biopharma sector. His experience spans 20 years of building and growing businesses globally, expanding into new markets, and leading large-scale transformations in both publicly traded and privately held companies.
Alan MacKay, Managing Partner and Founder of GHO Capital, which acquired Ardena in 2019, expressed his enthusiasm about Trochu’s appointment. “His track record of driving growth and value creation aligns with our shared vision for Ardena’s future. His global mindset and extensive experience and network across the US market will support our ambitions for future international expansion,” MacKay said.
The company expressed its gratitude to Christiaens for his leadership over the past two decades. Under his stewardship, Ardena grew from a local ten-person consultancy firm in Ghent, Belgium to a world-leading CDMO with more than 500 employees, operating across five facilities in Europe.
On his appointment, Trochu said, “I am honored to join Ardena and have the privilege to lead such an agile, fast-paced organization powered by a talented and diverse team of passionate individuals. I look forward to embarking on this exciting journey and contributing to the continued success of Ardena.” Christiaens added, “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that Jeremie is the right person to take the helm and guide Ardena to an even brighter future.”
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