- Lonza appoints Jason Berndt as Head of Group Operations, EVP and member of the Executive Committee, effective 1 October 2025.
- Maria Soler Nunez takes on the newly created role of Chief Quality Officer, with Oliver Schläfli transitioning responsibilities before his retirement in 2026.
Lonza has announced executive leadership changes approved by its Board of Directors. Jason Berndt will become Head of Group Operations, Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Committee (EC) from 1 October 2025. He succeeds Maria Soler Nunez, who will take up the newly created position of Chief Quality Officer, also as an EVP and member of the EC.
Berndt brings over 20 years of experience in global operations. He joins Lonza from Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was Head of Global Technical Services and Senior Vice President. His career includes leadership positions at Teva Pharmaceuticals, Procter & Gamble and McKinsey & Company, alongside five years as a US Army officer.
Soler Nunez, who joined Lonza in 2022 as Head of Group Operations, will oversee global quality standards, regulatory affairs and compliance in her new role. She has 28 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior roles at Novartis and Eli Lilly.
Oliver Schläfli, currently Global Head of Quality, will transfer responsibilities to Soler Nunez before his planned retirement in 2026. He will continue to advise on projects during the transition period.
Wolfgang Wienand, Chief Executive Officer at Lonza, said: “I am pleased to welcome Jason to our One Lonza Team and to warmly congratulate Maria on her new role. With our ambition to further elevate Lonza’s execution excellence in manufacturing, engineering and large capital projects, Jason will be a strong addition to the team.”
