The Board of Directors defines the strategic direction and is responsible for the ultimate management of Lonza as well as the supervision of the persons entrusted with Group management. It is responsible for issuing the necessary instructions especially with regard to compliance with the law, the Articles of Association, and the regulations and directives. In compliance with the law and the Articles of Association, the Board of Directors has – with the exception of non-delegable and inalienable duties – delegated the management of the company to the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors commits itself to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in its governance of Lonza.
Jean-Marc Huët
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2024), Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2024).
Jean-Marc Huët was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the 2024 Annual General Meeting. Jean-Marc brings a strong international leadership track record, with current chairmanships at Heineken and Vermaat, among other senior responsibilities.
He has extensive international strategic leadership experience in the consumer, pharma and nutrition industries, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Unilever, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Royal Numico.
He holds an MBA from INSEAD, Fontainbleau (FR).
Current Activities and Functions
Jean-Marc Huët is the Chair of the Nomination and Governance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing governance, talent development, and succession planning for the Board and Executive Committee.
He is also a member of the Innovation and Technology Committee, which is responsible for reviewing innovation and technology initiatives at Lonza, including ESG developments.
Public Company Boards:
- Chairman, Heineken (since 2014)
Further Appointments:
- Chairman, Vermaat (since 2019)
Former Activities and Functions
- Member of the Board of Picnic (2020 – 2024)
- Member of the Board of Canada Goose (2017 – 2023)
- Member of the Board of SHV (2015 – 2019)
- Member of the Board of Formula One (2012 – 2017)
- Member of the Board of Mead Johnson Nutrition (2009)
- Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Unilever (2010 – 2015)
- Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb (2008 – 2009)
- Member of Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer, Royal Numico (2003 – 2007)
- Executive Director, Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs International (1993 – 2003)
- Commercial Manager, Clement Trading (1991 – 1993)
Jürgen Steinemann
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since August 2024); Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since April 2014)
Jürgen Steinemann holds a degree in Economics and Business Management from the European Business School in Wiesbaden (DE), London (UK) and Paris (FR).
Current Activities and Functions
Jürgen Steinemann is a member of the Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and recommending compensation policies and plans, agreeing employment terms and evaluating the performance of the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.
He is also a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing governance, talent development, and succession planning for the Board and Executive Committee.
Public Company Boards:
- Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Metro AG (since 2015)
Further Appointments:
- Managing Director of JBS Holding GmbH (since 2017)
- Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Barentz International B.V. (since 2020)
- Member of the Supervisory Board of Bankiva B.V. (since 2017)
- Member of the Supervisory Board of Big Dutchman AG (since 2015)
Former Activities and Functions
- Member of the Advisory Board of Tower Brook Capital Partners LP (2017-2022)
- Member of the Advisory Board of EQT (2019 – 2023)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Barry Callebaut AG (2015–2020)
- Chief Executive Officer of Barry Callebaut (2009–2015)
- Member of the Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer of Nutreco (2001–2009)
- Chief Executive Officer of Loders Croklaan (1999–2001)
- Various senior positions in business-to-business marketing and sales with the former Eridania Béghin-Say Group, ultimately in the «Corporate Plan et Stratégie» unit at the head office in Paris (1990–1998)
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Member of the Board of NGO African Parks Germany (2019 – 2023)
Christoph Mäder
Lead Independent Director of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since November 2019); Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since April 2016)
Christoph Mäder holds a Master’s degree in law from the University of Basel (CH) and is admitted to the Swiss Bar.
Current Activities and Functions
Christoph Mäder is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and recommending compensation policies and plans, agreeing employment terms and evaluating the performance of the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.
He is also a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which is in charge of overseeing the systems of internal control and financial reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations, including the reporting and assurance process for ESG.
Public Company Boards:
- Member of the Board of Directors Schindler Holding Ltd (since 2024)
- Member of the Board of Directors Baloise Holding Ltd (since 2019)
Further Appointments:
- Member of the Bank Council, Swiss National Bank (since 2021)
- President of Economiesuisse (since 2020)
- Member of the Board of Directors Assivalor AG (since 2019)
- Member of the Advisory Board of Accenture Switzerland (since 2019)
- Partner at the law firm Becker | Gurini | Partner (since 2019)
- Member of the Council of Schweizer Jugend forscht (since 2018)
- Member of the Advisory Board of Vereinigung Schweizerischer Unternehmen in Deutschland (since 2016)
- Member of the Advisory Board of Loeba GmbH (since 2014)
Former Activities and Functions
- Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (2020–2024)
- Member of the Board of EMS Chemie Holding AG (2018–2023)
- Member of the Group Executive Committee of Syngenta (2000–2018)
- Member of the Board Committee of economiesuisse (2008–2019)
- Member of the Executive Board of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2012–2016)
- Member of the Board of scienceindustries (2006–2018)
- Member of the Board of the Basel Chamber of Commerce (2002–2018)
- Head of Legal & Public Affairs for Novartis Crop Protection AG (1999–2000)
- Senior Corporate Counsel for Novartis International AG (1992–1998)
Roger Nitsch
Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2022).
Roger Nitsch serves as CEO and President of Neurimmune, which he founded in 2006 with two business partners. A neuroscientist with a background in medicine, Roger is recognized as an opinion leader in neurodegenerative diseases with over 30 years of experience in Alzheimer’s disease research and drug development. A Potamkin Prize winner and Member of the German Academy of Sciences, Roger served as a founding director of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich.
Roger Nitsch is a Professor emeritus at the University of Zurich, he holds an MD degree from the University of Heidelberg and earned his post-doctoral qualification at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School.
Current Activities and Functions
Roger Nitsch is a member of the Innovation and Technology Committee, which is responsible for reviewing innovation and technology initiatives at Lonza, including ESG developments.
He is also a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing governance, talent development, and succession planning for the Board and Executive Committee.
- CEO and President of the Board of Directors of Neurimmune Group (since 2006)
- Member of the Advisory Board of PUREOS Bioventures (since 2017)
- Member of the Board of Directors of NOVAGO Therapeutics AG (since 2015)
- Member of the Board of Directors of INTEGRA Biosciences Holding AG (since 2002)
Former Activities and Functions
- Professor at the University of Zurich (1998-2024)
- Director and co-founder of the Institute for Regenerative Medicine University of Zurich (2016–2020)
- Overseas Visiting Professor of Health Science Aino University, Osaka, Japan (2016–2018)
- Member of the Advisory Board Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, Munich (2009–2012)
- Member and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board Institute for Advanced Studies (2006–2012)
- Chairman, Board of Trustees, Center for Clinical Research University Hospital Zurich (2002–2014)
- Vice Dean Research, Medical Faculty at the University of Zurich (2002–2008)
- Coordinator of the European Union DIADEM and APOPIS Research Consortia (1999–2006)
- Director at the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (1998–2005)
- Member of the Board of Directors and co-founder EVOTEC Neurosciences (1995–1998)
- Post-Doc, M.I.T. and Harvard Medical School (1990–1995)
- Post-Doc, University of Heidelberg (1987–1990)
- Research Fellow, Max-Planck Institute for Medical Research, Heidelberg (1983–1987)
Marion Helmes
Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2022).
Marion Helmes has extensive financial expertise as well as global operational experience from a career that includes Chief Financial Officer positions at Celesio, Q-Cells and with ThyssenKrupp’s Elevator and Stainless divisions. She currently holds Board Memberships with Siemens Healthineers AG and Heineken N.V.
Marion has a degree in Business Administration from Freie Universität Berlin and a PhD from the University of St. Gallen.
Current Activities and Functions
Marion Helmes is a member of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the systems of internal control and financial reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations, including the reporting and assurance process for ESG.
She is also a member of the Nomination and Governance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing governance, talent development, and succession planning for the Board and Executive Committee.
Public Company Boards:
- Member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Audit Committee of Heineken N.V. (since 2018)
- Member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Audit Committee of Siemens Healthineers AG (since 2018)
Former Activities and Functions
- Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (2014–2023)
- Member of the Board of Directors of British American Tobacco plc (2016–2022)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Uniper SE (2017–2020)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Bilfinger SE (2016–2018)
- Member of the Board of Directors of NXP Semiconductors N.V. (2013–2018)
- Chief Financial Officer, Celesio AG. From 2013, Speaker of the Management Board (2012–2014)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Fugro N.V. (2009–2014)
- Chief Financial Officer, Q-Cells SE (2010–2011)
- Chief Financial Officer, ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG (2006–2010)
- Chief Financial Officer, ThyssenKrupp Stainless AG (2005–2006)
- Various positions in Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Development and Controlling, ThyssenKrupp AG (1997–2005)
- Project Manager, St. Gallen Consulting Group (1996–1997)
- Manager Restructuring, Privatisation, Treuhandanstalt (1991–1994)
Angelica Kohlmann
Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2018).
Angelica Kohlmann holds a MD and doctorate in medicine from Hamburg University (DE).Current Activities and Functions
Angelica Kohlmann is the Chair of the Innovation and Technology Committee, which is responsible for reviewing innovation and technology initiatives at Lonza, including ESG developments.
She is also a member of the Remuneration Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and recommending compensation policies and plans, agreeing employment terms and evaluating the performance of the Executive Committee and the Chief Executive Officer.
- Chairperson Board of Directors, Bloom Diagnostics AG (since 2018)
- Member International Advisory Board IE University and Business School, Madrid (since 2017)
- Chairperson Board of Directors, Kohlmann & Co AG (since 2013)
- International investor in biotech and tech, based in Switzerland (since 2014)
- Chairperson of the Advisory Board Peter Drucker Society Europe / Global Peter Drucker Forum, Vienna (since 2009)
Former Activities and Functions
- Board Observer Teralytics AG (2017-2023)
- Member Advisory Board UBS Unique (2017–2018)
- Director Trinnacle Fund Ltd (2016–2017)
- Member Board of Directors Teralytics AG (2013–2016)
- Founder & CEO Ifitech GmbH, Germany (2010–2017)
- International investor in biotech and tech, based in Germany (2000–2013)
- International consultant for strategy, management, investments and restructuring (1992–1999)
- Head global restructuring Behringwerke AG, Germany (1990–1992)
- Member Board Staff Hoechst AG, Germany (1988–1990)
- International Marketing Group Leader at Behringwerke AG (1986–1988)
- MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA – various cancer research functions
Barbara Richmond
Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since April 2014).
Barbara Richmond holds a first-class degree in management science from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in England. Barbara Richmond has substantial knowledge as a financial expert, demonstrated by her roles as CFO for various companies. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Current Activities and Functions
Barbara Richmond is the Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the systems of internal control and financial reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations, including the reporting and assurance process for ESG.
Public Company Boards:
- Group CFO of Redrow plc (since 2010)
- Member of the Board of Directors of Barry Callebaut AG (since 2024)
Former Activities and Functions
- Group CFO of Inchcape plc (2006–2009)
- Non-Executive Director and Audit Committee Chair of Scarborough Building Society until its merger with The Skipton Building Society (2005–2009)
- Non-Executive Director, Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chair of Carclo Group plc (2000–2006)
- Group CFO of Croda International plc (1997–2006) with dual role as Group CFO and President of Active Ingredients and Industrial Chemicals from 2002 to 2006
- Group CFO of Whessoe plc in 1993 (1993–1997)
- Various financial roles in Alstom Group SA (1987–1992)
- Auditor and management consultant for Arthur Andersen (1981–1984)
Olivier Verscheure
Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since May 2018)
Olivier Verscheure is a Professor of Computer Science at EPFL (ETH Lausanne) and the co-founder and Executive Director of the Swiss Data Science Center, a national hub for applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science, jointly hosted at EPFL in Lausanne and ETH Zurich since 2016. Olivier also co-leads an executive training program in Data Science and Management with HEC Lausanne, blending his expertise in academia and industry. Before joining EPFL, he held various research and leadership positions at IBM in the United States and Ireland.
Olivier holds a PhD in Computer Science from EPFL (July 1999).
Current Activities and Functions
Olivier Verscheure is a member of the Innovation and Technology Committee, which is responsible for reviewing innovation and technology initiatives at Lonza, including ESG developments.
- Member of the Foundation Council, SWITCH (since 2019)
- Co-Director of the Executive Education program in Data Science and Management, HEC Lausanne and EPFL (since 2018)
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, ETH Strategic Initiative on Personalized Health and Related Technologies (since 2017)
- Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Swiss Data Science Center (since 2016)
Former Activities and Functions:
- Research Program Director at IBM Research, Ireland (2010 – 2016)
- Senior Research Manager at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, New York (2004 – 2010)
- Senior member of the research staff at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, New York (1999 – 2004)