- Merck has appointed Kai Beckmann as the future Chair of the Executive Board and CEO, effective 1 May 2026, succeeding Belén Garijo.
- Garijo, who joined Merck 15 years ago and has served as CEO since 2021, will continue to lead until her tenure ends to ensure a smooth transition.
Merck has announced that Kai Beckmann will take over as Chair of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer on 1 May 2026. He will succeed Belén Garijo, who has led the company as CEO since 2021 and will remain in place until the end of her tenure. Beckmann will assume the role of Deputy CEO immediately while continuing as CEO of the Electronics business until a successor is named.
Garijo leaves after 15 years with the company, including six years as CEO of Healthcare and more recently as CEO of Merck. Her tenure was marked by steering the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic, strengthening its position in Life Science, Healthcare, and Electronics, and driving portfolio moves such as the acquisition of SpringWorks and the divestiture of Surface Solutions. She also played a central role in expanding the company’s Healthcare business in China and in the global relaunch of Mavenclad.
“I would like to thank Belén Garijo for expertly steering Merck safely through tumultuous years of transformative change and returning the company to profitable growth. She has shaped the company’s evolution into a globally leading science and technology company while nurturing a High Impact Culture and making our teams future-ready.” He also described Beckmann as “the perfect homegrown leader” with a deep understanding of the company’s global businesses.
Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Executive Board of E. Merck KG
Beckmann has been a member of the Executive Board since 2011. He has overseen the transformation of the Performance Materials sector into the Electronics business, which now supports the global semiconductor industry. His earlier responsibilities included HR, IT, and site operations at Merck’s Darmstadt headquarters. He joined the company in 1989 and has held a range of international leadership positions, including Managing Director in Singapore and Malaysia, and Chief Information Officer.
Alongside his role at Merck, Beckmann serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bundesdruckerei Gruppe and as Vice President of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA). His appointment reflects Merck’s strategy of developing leaders from within the organisation to ensure continuity in management and long-term growth.
