Ingredients company dsm-firmenich has said its chair of the board of directors, Thomas Leysen, is retiring. Considering that the merger is now fully completed, he will step down from his role as director and chair once his successor has been elected by the shareholders, allowing him to devote more time to his other corporate and non-profit mandates. 

The board has proposed Richard Ridinger, currently an independent director of dsm-firmenich, as his successor. Shareholders will be asked to approve his appointment at an extraordinary general shareholders meeting (EGM) to be held on 19 October 2026.

Ridinger brings executive and board-level experience in global, innovation-led businesses across pharma, home and personal care and nutrition and health. 

Since the formation of the company, Leysen has helped shape a strong and resilient organisation, providing steady guidance through a period of significant change and challenging market conditions, the firm says. 

Leysen notes, “With dsm-firmenich now fully operating as one company, the portfolio tuning nearing completion with the closing of the ANH sale foreseen later this year, the executive committee rejuvenated and the margin improvement programme well underway, it is an opportune moment to hand over to a new chair. Richard has all the requisite experience to help bring dsm-firmenich to the next level. It has been a pleasure and an honour to chair the board during the formative stages of this unique company.”