Our Leadership

Albert M. Baehny

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ad interim (since October 2023) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since 2018).
On 1 October 2023, Albert M. Baehny took on the responsibilities as CEO ad interim until a permanent successor is found.

Albert M. Baehny holds a degree in biology from the University of Fribourg (CH).

Current Activities and Functions

• Independent member of the Board of Directors of Lonza Group Ltd (since April 2017)
• Member of the Board of Directors of Investis Group Holding SA (since 2016)
• Chairman of the Board of Directors of Geberit AG (since 2011)

Former Activities and Functions

• CEO ad interim of Lonza Group Ltd (2019–2020)
• CEO of Geberit Group (2005–2014)
• Head of Group Division Marketing and Sales Europe for Geberit Group (2003–2004)
• Senior Vice-President at Wacker Chemie AG (2001–2002)
• Various Marketing, Sales, Strategic Planning and Global Management Positions with:
  • Vantico (2000–2001)
  • Ciba-Geigy / Ciba Specialty Chemicals (1994–2000)
  • Dow Chemicals Europe (1981–1993)
  • Serono-Hypolab (1979–1981)

Philippe Deecke

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Member of the Executive Committee (since December 2021)
Philippe holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Management and Manufacturing and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich (CH), as well as an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson School (US).

Current Activities

• Member of the Board of Directors, Assura (since May 2023)

Former Activities and Functions

• Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, Lonza Group Ltd (2021)
• CFO, Novartis Oncology (2021)
• CFO, Sandoz, division of Novartis (2017–2021)
• CFO, Alcon EMEA, division of Novartis (2015–2017)
• Head Group Business planning and Analysis, Novartis International AG (2012–2015)
• CFO, Chief Financial and Administration Officer, Novartis Schweiz AG (2010–2012)
• Project Director, Novartis International AG (2008–2010)
• Head Finance, Novartis Pharmaceutical Inc. (US)  (2006–2008)
• Assistant to CEO, Novartis International AG (2005–2006)
• Associate Principal, McKinsey (1998–2005)

Christian Seufert

President, Capsules & Health Ingredients Division (since July 2022) and Member of the Executive Committee (since July 2022)
Christian Seufert holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Hohenheim (DE).

Former Activities and Functions

• Senior Vice President Pharma Solutions/Nutrition & Health Americas, BASF (2018-2022)
• Vice President, Global Segment Management Aroma Ingredients, BASF (2015-2018)
• Vice President, Regional Business Management Home Care, Industrial and Institutional Cleaning, Europe & EAWA, BASF (2012-2014)
• Vice President/Director, Regional Business Management Formulation Technologies, North America, BASF (2009-2012)
• Various regional and global leadership positions in Strategy, Sales and Marketing at BASF (2002-2009)

Gordon Bates

President, Small Molecules Division (since January 2021) and Member of the Executive Committee (since April 2021)
Gordon Bates holds a master’s degree in Engineering Business Management from the University of Warwick (UK).

Former Activities and Functions

• President, Lonza Chemical Division (2018 – 2020)
• Senior Vice President, Business Unit Head, Lonza Chemical and Microbial Manufacturing (2015 – 2017)
• Global Head of Sales, Lonza Pharma Custom Manufacturing (2013 – 2015)
• Head of Operations and Site Manager, Lonza Slough (UK) (2007 – 2013)
• Global Head of Lonza Operational Excellence (2003 – 2007)

Jean-Christophe Hyvert

President, Biologics (since January 2021) and Member of the Executive Committee (since April 2021)
Jean-Christophe Hyvert holds a master’s degree in Physics from INSA, Rennes (FR) and an MBA from the Northwestern University (USA).

Former Activities and Functions

• President, Lonza Cell & Gene Division (2021 – 2022)
• Chief Commercial Officer, Lonza Pharma Biotech & Nutrition Segment (2019 – 2020)
• Vice President, Finance, Lonza Pharma & Biotech Segment (2017 – 2019)
• Finance Director ECEMEA, Baxter International (2016 – 2017)
• Senior Director EMEA Business Development, Baxter International (2015 – 2016)
• Finance Director, Baxter International (2013 – 2014)
• Various leadership positions in Finance and Operations at Newell Rubbermaid, Lehman Brothers and Legris (covering Corporate Development, M&A and Supply Chain) (1995 – 2013)

Daniel Palmacci

President, Cell & Gene (since November 2022) and Member of the Executive Committee (since November 2022)
Daniel Palmacci holds a Master’s Degree in Chemistry and Process Engineering with High Honors from the Technical University Berlin (DE).

Current Activities

• Member of the Board of Directors, LOWENCO (since September 2022)

Former Activities and Functions

• Senior Vice President, Global Head Technical Operations, MorphoSys (2020 – 2022)
• Global Head Vaccines & Biologics Strategic Facility Creation, Merck Sharp & Dohme (2019 – 2020)
• Global Head Drug Substance Biopharma Manufacturing / CEO Sandoz GmbH, Novartis (2018 – 2019)
• Site Head, Drug Product Schaftenau, Novartis (2017 - 2018)
• Global Head External Supplier Operations, Biopharma, Sandoz – Novartis (2015 – 2017)
• Global Head Technical Operations, Biopharma, Sandoz – Novartis (2015)
• Global Product Leader & Global Head Manufacturing, Science & Technology (MS&T), Sandoz – Novartis (2013 – 2015)
• Head of Manufacturing, Bayer Healthcare (2008 – 2013)
• Director of Operations – Plant Manager, Bayer Healthcare (2006 – 2008)
• Various Project Manager and QA Manager roles at Berlex LCC, Schering AG, Schering do Brazil, ingea depotec and GTZ (1994 – 2006)